ECDC: Airlines should ensure onboard social distancing 'to the extent possible'

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in its COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol, stated (20-May-2020) airlines should ensure physical distancing among passengers "to the extent possible", where allowed by passenger load, cabin configuration and mass and balance requirements. Family members and individuals travelling together as part of the same household can be seated next to each other, and the seat allocation process should be modified accordingly. If physical distancing cannot be guaranteed because of the passenger load, seat configuration or other operational constraints, passengers and crew members onboard an aircraft should adhere at all times to all the other preventive measures including strict hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and should wear a face mask. [more - original PR - ECDC]