Why weren’t we spaced apart on flight?

During my time away, when in public, I did make sure to wear the mask at all times, wash my hands regularly and keep two metres distance whenever possible.

On returning back from Southampton, after boarding and taking my allocated seat, I was surprised that the flight was half empty and yet someone was sitting next to me. Why don’t they, unless you have booked with your family or your partner, keep us as far apart as possible?

Surely Nicola Brink should look at this, and advise Aurigny that on all incoming flights the more they keep us apart, the less chance of catching or passing Covid-19 to another person.

Waiting to hear from her.

C. GRAZIANI,

Address withheld.

Editor’s footnote: A spokesperson for Health & Social Care replies:

Thank you for providing the States of Guernsey the opportunity to comment on this reader’s letter.

While the seat allocation on any Aurigny flight is a matter for the operator to comment on, this issue has been raised with Aurigny and they are investigating the matter. Our Public Health advice regarding travel on an aircraft is that travellers should be spaced out if at all possible.

Passengers are also reminded that they must wear a mask until they reach their final destination in the Bailiwick (home, hotel etc) and practise good hand and respiratory hygiene.

While the wearing of masks, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette cannot reduce the risk of Covid-19 entirely, these measures are likely to significantly reduce the risk to passengers.

Aurigny and other carriers flying to the Bailiwick also decontaminate the plane after each flight to reduce the risk of the transmission of any virus (not just Covid-19) via the surfaces in the aircraft cabin.

Passengers are reminded that they should not travel if they are unwell or showing any symptoms of Covid-19 no matter how mild. Passengers are also reminded that they should practise good hand and respiratory hygiene.

As passengers are now travelling in Phase 5c of the Bailiwick’s exit from lockdown, they are asked to provide a nose and throat swab on arrival at any Guernsey port. These swabs will assist with contact tracing in the event of a passenger testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival.