CHILEAN AIR FORCE TYPE: “PUBLIC” CHIEF COMMAND CHIEF STAFF CERRILLOS, 15.JUN.2020
PROTOCOL FOR THE CONTROL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF BARRIERS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 VIRUS FROM PASSENGERS AND CARGO ENTERING AIRCRAFT OF NATIONAL ANTARCTIC PROGRAMMES FROM CHILE TO ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
I.- BACKGROUND
A.- Presidential Decree that established the State of Constitutional Emergency of Catastrophe due to public calamity in the territory of Chile (COVID-19) N° 104 dated 18..
B.- Ministry of Health Decree that "Provides sanitary measures that indicate by outbreak of COVID-19", N° 203 dated 24MAR 2020.
C.- Ministerial Order MDN.AS.JUR. N° 11.000/74 dated 17.MAR.2029, which provides for "Measures in the event of a health alert due to a COVID-19 pandemic", integrating the Armed Forces into the action of the State of Chile to deal with this pandemic.
D.- EMGFA order to control air operations to and from the DP. "Tte. Marsh" and Antarctic inter- bases through the MA.EMGFA.DO.DA. "P" N° 324/2478 dated 20 MAR.2020.
E.- Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) N° 07 DATE 06 APR.2020.
F.- Conclusions of the COVID-19 Multidisciplinary Working Group Meeting organized by the Municipality of the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, dated 24 APR.2020.
II.- INTRODUCTION
A.- H.E. the President of the Republic, by means of the document of reference A, decreed a State of Constitutional Emergency of Catastrophe at national level, due to the fact that the effects of the virus COVID-19 have spread worldwide and through Chile in particular, for that reason, ministerial authorities by means of the documents of reference B and C, established the preventive health measures, with the purpose of establishing barriers and control measures to avoid the propagation of the mentioned virus. In the main, measures of social distancing, telecommuting, preventive quarantines and the use of protection elements and personal hygiene of the population to reduce vectors of contagion were established.
B.- Notwithstanding the above, such provisions are not binding or immediately applicable in the Antarctic Treaty area, due to the legal regime prevailing in that territory and the international character of the Treaty. Therefore, each State party must assume its own responsibilities, imposing health measures, controlling and restricting the arrivals and transit of persons and cargo from the continent, especially when it comes to permanent and major bases providing support to the Antarctic community in general.
C.- However, the Air Force, by means of this Protocol, brings together in the aeronautical field, the preventive health requirements that will be demanded from the aviation in general (national and foreign) by the National Health Authority, for those operations that move to Chile (Punta Arenas) and later must fly to the AD. "Lt. Marsh" of the Antarctic Air Base "Presidente Frei", to the AD. "Glaciar Unión" and/or eventually to snow fields or helicopter landing sites, which are located in national bases in the Chilean Antarctic Territory. This is due to the fact that there is a flow of scientific passengers, base logistics personnel, cargo and others, belonging to the National Antarctic Programs, which due to the condition of "Gateway" to Antarctica that our country has, offers the facilities of the Base Complex "Presidente Frei"/AD. "Lt. Marsh", as it operates all year round and provides permanent air connectivity for the benefit of the surrounding Antarctic community.
D.- Finally, the health control measures and restrictions established by this Protocol in the field of Antarctic aerospace are part of the set of measures to be applied by the National Health Authority in order to determine the position of the State of Chile with regard to the implementation of health barriers and control, for the purpose of authorising or not, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Antarctic Directorate), the operation and transit of other National Antarctic Programmes through Chile and the National Antarctic Bases. This is due to its responsibility as political leader and head of the National Antarctic Program, which, among other things, looks after Chile's Antarctic interests under the Antarctic Treaty System.
E.- Regarding authorizations for air operations in tourism activities, extreme sports and non-
III.- OBJECTIVES OF THE PROTOCOL TO PREVENT COVID-19 INFECTION
A.- As a "Gateway" to Antarctica, impose preventive health measures and air traffic control for entry and exit to and from Chilean Antarctic airfields (AD. "Lt. Marsh" and AD. "Unión Glacier"), snow fields and helicopter landing sites at National Antarctic Bases, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus by positive or asymptomatic carriers landing in Antarctic Territory, as a result of the entry facilities provided by Chile in the national and international Antarctic context.
B.- Notwithstanding the guidelines imposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIRANTARTICA) for the entry and transit of members of foreign Antarctic Programs to the Antarctic Territory through Chile, the health requirements, personal protection measures and hygiene defined by the National Health Authority shall be applied for the arrival of aircraft and passengers to our country and prior to their air transfer to Antarctica or entry of persons to the National Antarctic Bases by any other means of transport.
C.- To apply authorization criteria for the arrival and departure of all aircraft that will operate to and from Antarctica, belonging to the National Antarctic Programs, which are previously coordinated and confirmed once they arrive in Antarctica, so that other necessary air or sea transportation can be found in the area, to reship their passengers and cargo, in order to continue to the Antarctic bases or final destination in the minimum time. All of this is a preventive measure to avoid the entry of the COVID-19 virus into Chile's Antarctic facilities, which could be infected by the respective national allocations.
D.- Pilots in command of aircraft, prior to passenger boarding at national or foreign airfields on their way to national Antarctic airfields, snowfields or helicopter landing sites at national Antarctic bases, must comply with the health requirements laid down by the Chilean Health Authority, to ensure that passengers and cargo they carry are free from symptoms, contagion and/or vectors of COVID-19 virus contamination.
E.- The General Directorate of Civil Aviation, as the National Aeronautical Authority, will establish the previous processes of issuing Aeronautical Notifications (NOTAMS), to inform and control the preventive health requirements imposed by the National Health Authority, for any national or foreign aircraft requesting authorization to operate to Chilean airports or airfields and which will subsequently continue to the Antarctic Territory or from airfields, snowfields or national base locations in the Antarctic Territory, in order to prevent the entry and/or spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Antarctic.
IV.- PREVENTIVE PROTOCOL TO PREVENT THE INFECTION AND SPREAD OF COVID-19 VIRUS BY PASSENGERS AND CARGO ENTERING THE ANTARCTIC TERRITORY FROM NATIONAL ANTARCTIC PROGRAMMES
A.- Preliminary Considerations
1.- The National Antarctic Programmes, for the purpose of requesting permission to fly over the National Territory and/or carry out air operations at national Antarctic aerodromes (SCRM and SCGC), snow fields or helicopter landing sites located at national Antarctic bases, will continue to be officially channelled between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin and of Chile (Directorate of Antarctica), where, in addition, the preventive health barriers, restrictions and control measures imposed by the Chilean Health Authority will be imposed in detail, in order to prevent the contagion and spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Antarctic Territory, by passengers and cargo entering by air.
2.- In either case, State aircraft in support of the National Antarctic Programs, flying to the Antarctic Territory, shall comply with the provisions for Antarctic safety and environmental protection, which are published by the Chilean Aeronautical Authority in the DAN Antarctica 01 and DAN Antarctica 02 Aeronautical Standard, available at https://www.dgac.gob.cl/normativa/reglamentacion-aeronautica/normas-dan/.
3.- In Antarctic aerospace and for the purpose of complying with the health requirements of the National Health Authority, such as control actions of air entry in the airports or aerodromes of Chile, the National Aeronautical Authority (DGAC), will report the applicable through the Flight Information Service Platform (IFIS), by means of NOTAMs, of the demands made on air crews, passengers and cargo on arrival in Chile or at the "Carlos Ibáñez del Campo" Airport and prior to its Antarctic operation, to prevent an outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 virus in our country.
4.- Notwithstanding the above, the Chilean Air Force, in timely coordination with the DGAC, shall provide the background to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DISIN- DIRANTARTICA), to complement the overflight permit to the national air space and the feasibility of ground support once arrived in Chile (if required) and during the operation of State aircraft that will support the National Antarctic Programs, at any Antarctic airfield, snow field or lodging point of an Antarctic Base in Chile, such as those coming directly from abroad to the " Lt. Marsh" Aerodrome.
5.- While the State of Constitutional Emergency of Catastrophe remains in force and/or the sources of contagion and propagation of the COVID-19 virus continue in the National Territory and in other countries that operate their Antarctic Bases through Chile, only essential Antarctic air operations such as Aeromedical Evacuations (MEDEVAC), Search and Rescue (SAR) and critical base logistics support will be authorized.
6.- Notwithstanding the above and once the State of Constitutional Emergency of Catastrophe has ended, state and private Antarctic air operations will return to a certain degree of normality and will be governed by this Prevention Protocol and the health requirements established by the National Health Authority, in order to avoid the risk of an outbreak and spread of COVID-19 virus infection to the National Antarctic Bases, which will be updated according to the current situation.
B.- Prevention protocol operating from Punta Arenas or another Regional Aerodrome to "Lt Marsh" or "Union Glacier" Aerodromes, snow fields or helicopter landing sites at National Antarctic Bases.
1.- Arrival of aircraft and passengers at Carlos Ibañez del Campo Airport (Punta Arenas) or other in the Magallanes Region, to continue on to Antarctica (in transit).
a.- Aircraft arriving at the first airport or airfield in Chile, crews, passengers and cargo on board, will be subject to the control and health requirements that have been decreed by the National Health Authority to address the health emergency by COVID-19.
b.- In addition, the National Health Authority requires that crew members and passengers coming from abroad must complete the sworn affidavit for travelers, in order to prevent diseases and infections by Coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the form and instructions indicated in: https://www.c19.cl/es.html and be delivered upon arrival at the airport or airfield in Chile.
c.- Similarly, national crews and passengers arriving in Punta Arenas or other transit and departure aerodrome to Antarctica, from another region of the country, must also complete the sworn statement for travelers, to prevent disease and infection by Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Antarctica.
d.- In the case of a foreign aircraft and before starting its air operations to Chile, the crew must be aware of the special provisions for the aviation field by the health emergency COVID-9, information that is published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in the Flight Information Service Platform (IFIS), through NOTAM'S and Circulars in the following link: https://www.aipchile.gob.cl/aip/covid
In this information, the health requirements that will be applied by the National Health Authority by COVID-19, to the crew, passengers, aircraft and cargo on board, upon arrival in Chile and while in the National Territory, are disclosed.
e.- Similarly, and considering that the aircraft comes in support of a National Antarctic Program, the crew and passengers should be aware of the guidelines established by the Antarctic Program of the country of origin, for personal care and to avoid an outbreak and the spread of COVID-19 to the Antarctic Territory.
f.- On the other hand, the official representation of the country of origin to the air operation, must coordinate prior to the flight, the requirements that will be applied to the arrival of the aircraft in Chile, by the National Health Authority and while they remain in our country (Punta Arenas), as well as the requirements of the Customs Services, Immigration, as well as ground services to the aircraft and support to the crew, passengers and cargo handling on board.
2.- Prior to the air operation to the Antarctic Territory from the city of Punta Arenas or another regional airfield .
a.- The crew, passengers and cargo on board that will be transferred to the Antarctic Territory, must prove to the National Health Authority at the Airport "Carlos Ibáñez del Campo", that the requirements established for their transfer to Antarctica have been met.
b.- To this end, a health inspection shall be carried out in accordance with guidelines established by the Health Authority, for passengers, aircraft and cargo to be transported.
c.- If the Health Authority determines that the crew, passengers and/or cargo do not comply with the defined health requirements, this shall be grounds for not authorizing the boarding of the aircraft and the preventive measures that the authority indicates for this purpose shall be provided.
d.- The sanitization of the cargo and aircraft to be transferred to the Antarctic Territory, will be according to the protocols defined by the Health Authority .
3.- Upon the arrival of the aircraft in the AD. "Lt. Marsh."
a.- The aircraft will be parked on the "Charlie" platform. For this purpose, the Chief of the Aerodrome, in coordination with the Southern Airport Zone and the Fourth Air Brigade, will provide for the separation of air traffic so that there is only one aircraft landed and parked on the "Charlie" platform, in the process of disembarking and re-embarking passengers and cargo.
b.- The crew and passengers on board the aircraft must comply with the health protocols established by the Health Authority, regarding the use of personal protection and hygiene elements during the flight and during disembarkation, stay on the ground for reshipment and arrival at the final destination.
c.- Aircraft operators must have the means, or provide for the use of part of the crew and/or passengers, to achieve autonomy in the unloading of passenger baggage and associated cargo they carry to the DP. "Lt. Marsh" or other location in Antarctica. This is due to the mandatory social isolation of the crew at Presidente Frei Antarctic Air Base, which prevents them from supporting aircraft arrivals, and will also be the case for boarding aircraft returning to the continent.
d.- In the event of urgent needs or for reasons of SAR operations or humanitarian flights, special ground support procedures shall be coordinated beforehand through official channels with staff of the Institutional Antarctic Bases, for which purpose they shall maintain a physical distance, employ personal protection elements and, if motorized means are used, be operated only by staff and carry out post-employment sanitation procedures to avoid contagion.
C.- Prevention protocol for aircraft operating in direct flight from other countries to "Lt Marsh" or "Union Glacier" aerodromes, snow fields or helicopter landing sites at National Antarctic Bases, or using Lt Marsh as an alternative aerodrome, must comply with the following:
1.- Permits for the operation of aircraft to "Lt. Marsh" or "Union Glacier" aerodromes, as well as the use of ground support capabilities for the aircraft and crew, must be previously coordinated between the Antarctic Program of the country of origin and Chile and through the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
2.- Before the flight and according to the requirement established in the authorization process to carry out an air operation in the Antarctic Territory, the sanitary requirements established by the Chilean Health Authority must be fulfilled before the arrival to the national Antarctic aerodromes, with the purpose that the crew and passengers that it transports, are free of contagion of the COVID-19 virus, as well as, the sanitary requirements for the aircraft and the associated cargo.
3.- The crew and passengers on board the aircraft must comply with the health protocols established by the Health Authority, regarding the use of personal protection and hygiene elements during the flight and during disembarkation, stay on the ground for reshipment and arrival at the final destination.
4.- The procedures for parking at the AD. "Lt. Marsh", social isolation of the crew while they remain on the ground and autonomy to handle luggage and associated cargo, as a special authorization to provide ground support by institutional crew, are the same as those detailed in paragraph IV, No. 3, letter c) of this Protocol.
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D.- Preventive protocol for air operations between Antarctic bases.
1.- Antarctic inter-base air operations are suspended while the Health Authority maintains the health emergency in Chile.
2.- Only SAR operations, humanitarian support through Aeromedical Evacuations (EVACAM - MEDEVAC) or air logistical transport of a critical nature will be authorized, which must be coordinated between the Antarctic Programs and through the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The air operation will be coordinated through the Commander in Chief of the IV Air Brigade and according to the health protocols established by the National Health Authority, in order to prevent the infection and spread of the COVID-19 virus to and from the national Antarctic Bases, through passengers and cargo that will be transported by air.
3.- For parking purposes at the AD. "Lt. Marsh", they will do it in the "Charlie" platform and with the maximum autonomy to apply procedures of disembarkation of passengers, minor load, stretchers and medical support equipment.
4.- If the transfer of affected passengers or people on stretchers to the American continent continues, through third party aircraft, before the MEDEVAC operation there must be close coordination to ensure their arrival and have the security of immediate evacuation for their return and comply with the health procedures established by the Chilean Health Authority.
V.- PREVENTIVE PROTOCOL TO PREVENT THE INFECTION AND SPREAD OF COVID-19 VIRUS WHEN PASSENGERS AND CARGO ARE DISEMBARKED AT NATIONAL ANTARCTIC BASES ON THEIR WAY TO THE CONTINENT
A.- Preliminary considerations
1.- There is a need to adopt health and control measures ordered by the National Health Authority when passengers and/or cargo are disembarked from foreign aircraft and/or maritime means at a National Antarctic Base to be re-routed by air to the AD. "Lt. Marsh" and subsequently, continue in national or foreign transport aircraft to the American continent.
2.- Passengers and cargo, coming from other Antarctic bases or navigation areas and probably without a previous sanitary control, represent a vector of COVID-19 virus infection, for National Bases and air crews. Therefore, prior to their arrival or disembarkation at the National Antarctic Bases, they must be subjected to the health requirements established by the National Health Authority and to the use of personal protection and hygiene elements, provided for such purpose, while they transit to the embarkation area that will transport them by air.
B.- Preventive protocol to authorize landing at National Antarctic Bases, in order to continue by air to the American continent .
1.- The Heads of National Antarctic Bases will arbitrate the measures to demand from the passengers and others who disembark, the sanitary requirements, as well as the use of the elements of personal security that have been arranged by the National Health Authority, to avoid a contagion and propagation of the COVID-2019 virus, with the purpose of authorizing or not its reshipment by air, so that it continues its trip towards the Continent.
2.- In the case of cargo movement, it should be required that prior to disembarkation, it complies with the health requirements established by the National Health Authority .
3.- To this end, Antarctic aircraft operators shall provide all the necessary elements or tools to comply with the health requirements during their air operations and the personal protection and hygiene elements for the crew and passengers established by the National Health Authority for this purpose.
4.- Those passengers who do not qualify for air travel due to suspicion of positive or asymptomatic infection of the COVID-19 virus, shall apply protection and preventive isolation measures and may not remain and/or circulate in the National Antarctic Base until the Health Authority decides on the measures to be adopted.
5.- The arrival of the aircraft at the AD. "Lt. Marsh" that will allow the reshipment of passengers from the Antarctic Air Base "President Frei" for their return to the American continent, mut have a previous coordination, which ensures the minimum time on the ground of the passengers to be transferred and the aircraft staying on the platform "Charlie" of the AD. "Lt. Marsh". This air operation must comply with the health requirements established by the National Health Authority for their arrival and the procedures for disembarkation and re-embarkation of passengers and cargo they are carrying..
6.- The arrival of the aircraft and the disembarkation of passengers, will be at the Airport "Carlos Ibañez del Campo" in the city of Punta Arenas, for which the crew, passengers and cargo on board, must comply with health requirements, the use of personal safety and hygiene elements established by the National Health Authority, to continue to their destination.
7.- The above-mentioned preventive protocols will be applied to both national and foreign aircraft arriving at Punta Arenas or other regional airfield, carrying passengers and/or cargo landed by third parties at National Antarctic Bases with destination to the American continent.
C.- Protocol of suspected case of COVID-19 in the Antarctic Air Base "President Frei", as the centre of the national Antarctic activity.
1.- In case of suspicion of symptoms of any member of the crew of the Antarctic Air Base "President Frei" and according to clinical symptoms described in relation to the COVID- 19 and after interaction with personnel outside the Antarctic Base, respiratory and contact isolation will be performed in the Base's Infirmary and according to provisions issued by the National Health Authority.
2.- Contacts of suspected cases will be quarantined for 14 days in the sector determined by the medical authority at the Antarctic Base, with daily temperature control and early detection of respiratory symptoms through permanent telephone contact with a hospital centre in Punta Arenas. Quarantined patients will not have contact with Base personnel.
3.- After the evaluation by the Base Nursing Doctor of the suspected cases and in case a positive risk of COVID-19 is determined in any of them, an Aeromedical Evacuation to Punta Arenas will be requested, in an aircraft with the capacity to transport patients withthe necessary isolation measures, depending on the emergency and its availability.
4.- Once the plane arrives in Punta Arenas and the patient is handed over to the local medical team, the crew involved will comply with the sanitary measures issued by the Institutional Health Authority and return to their unit of origin.
FRANCISCO TORRES VILLA Air Brigade General (A) DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
MIGUEL FIGUEROA IBARRA Air Force Colonel (BA)
HEAD OF THE ANTARCTIC DIVISION
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