ZSPD Testing
 

I'm not on JF, so thought I'd post here.

Arrived ZSPD, met on plane by Customs, temperatures taken. Escorted to passport check, didn't go inside. Then upstairs into terminal for health questionnaire and were informed we'd be throat swabbed. We called DO, expressed concern and that we initially refused. They were going to figure out what to do with our scenario, and were told about new FCIF (which came out while we were in the air flying over here). Were told by DO that other crews came through and took tests. We read through FCIF and talked about scenario if false positive, felt more 'comfortable' with the plan/process and agreed to continue. EVERYONE wearing hazmat suits BTW.

So, we get escorted downstairs outside terminal to a row of large airport busses. Inside are two people (full hazmat), one sprays us down. Other is sitting behind a desk, has swabs, boxes of gloves, etc, VERY rudimentary and COMPLETELY UNSANITARY!! First guy goes. Doesn't look too bad, they very poorly spray desk where you lean over to get swabbed. Next guy goes (NO GLOVE CHANGE mind you). Swabbed, gags, coughs a few times. Swab gets done. Again, NO glove change. I ask person to change gloves, she said, "No, use one gloves three times." I said no way, made her change gloves AND spray the hell out of the desk (where I'm sure people have been coughing ALL OVER ALL DAY...as this is not aircrew only test area, but general population.) So, get swabbed no big deal, bit uncomfortable.

Retrospect, knowing what I know no, I WOULD NOT HAVE GONE through with it after seeing the COMPLETELY NON SANITARY conditions of the testing location.

Beware people, I'm not doing this again.

Just tossing this out as a hypothetical...how would one in the middle of a trip decline the opportunity to fly as scheduled into ZSPD.

Thanks for the info. I assume this was for a layover? Do you know what they're currently doing at ZSPD for turns?

No idea for through flight.

IMO, testing is no way consistent with CDC recommendations as FCIF states, far from it...by a mile....

Did a turn there about a day ago... was left alone. Not even a temperature check.

Thanks for the report and keep them coming.

I think as long as you are staying in the same jet, no testing. If you are changing tails, all bets are off. Good luck!

Has anyone asked the Duty Officer what are the consequences if we just say " Not only NO, but Hell ^%$$W NO?

To save yourself a lot a pain if you have a China layover or turn let the duty officer know you are not willing to go. Will probably try and swap you with another crewmember. If you have the trip already and have not started asked to be removed from the trip. Plenty of makeup trips unless your a HKG crew. Crews that refused to go earlier in the week either diverted to KIX or did not takeoff from their airport. No one got in trouble. Duty Officers have been very helpful every time I have called. They usually ask what we would like to do and they have the changes made.