Airplanes keep many people, often shoulder-to-shoulder, in a closed compartment for long periods of time, which can very well spell out a recipe for a COVID disaster.
However, a laboratory model of exposure to COVID-19 on single-track and two-way aircraft showed that leaving the middle seat in each aircraft path reduced COVID transmission by 23% to 57% compared to aircraft that were full. The percentages varied depending on the different models.
“A 57% exposure was observed under the empty center seat condition in a scenario with a three-row section containing a mixture of SARS-CoV-2 sources and other passengers,” according to the study. “These data suggest that the increased physical distance between passengers and the reduction in passenger density may help reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 during air travel.”
It could be a major risk reducer if airlines start flying at a higher rate and countries around the world reopen their borders for international travel.
Israel announced on Tuesday that it will open its borders to foreign travelers arriving in organized groups from May 23.
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