Taiwan's EVA Air says 8 sacked since March for breaching COVID rules

EVA Airways

29/12/2020 06:46

TAIPEI, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan's EVA Airways Corp
 2618.TW  said on Tuesday it had sacked four pilots and four
cabin crew since March for breaching rules related to preventing
COVID-19 infections, adding that it was committed to enforcing
anti-pandemic measures.
    Last week the company said it had fired a New Zealand
national who had worked as one of its pilots after the
government blamed him for Taiwan's first domestic transmission
since April 12. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2J30IY
    The case ignited public anger after the government said he
had not reported all his contacts and the places he had been,
nor worn a face mask in the cockpit when he should have. 
    In a statement, EVA Air said that since March it had sacked
eight employees - four pilots and four cabin crew - for
"regretfully breaching anti-pandemic rules", though it did not
give details.
    "EVA Air always attaches great importance to discipline, and
the vast majority of crew members on the front line of duty face
transportation and epidemic prevention tasks with a cautious and
serious attitude," it added.
    "EVA Air's position on strictly following epidemic
prevention has never changed."
    The government has since tightened its rules for airline
crew, including on quarantines when they return to Taiwan, and
has also fined EVA Air $35,000 for the New Zealand pilot
incident. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2J40EC
    EVA Air, like most airlines, is operating a very reduced
schedule due to border restrictions globally.
    Until last week, Taiwan had not reported domestic
transmission in eight months, thanks to early and effective
moves to stop the virus, including mass mask wearing and strict
quarantines for all arrivals.
    Taiwan has logged 795 confirmed infections, the vast
majority imported, including seven deaths. A total of 127 people
are currently being treated in hospital.
    Wary after the domestic infection, some New Year's Eve
events around Taiwan have been scaled back or cancelled, but
major celebrations are still expected to go ahead, albeit with
tightened controls like mandatory mask wearing.

 (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
 ((ben.blanchard@thomsonreuters.com;))