Delta Air Lines asks CDC to shorten COVID-19 isolation window for vaccinated workers

Dive Brief:

In a Dec. 21 letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Delta Air Lines requested the agency shorten its isolation guideline for fully vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough COVID-19 infections.
Instead of the current 10-day isolation protocol, Delta proposed a 5-day isolation from symptom onset for those who are fully vaccinated. Workers would end their isolation after an "appropriate testing protocol."
"Our employees represent an essential workforce to enable Americans who need to travel domestically and internationally," Delta wrote. "With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the 10-day isolation for those who are fully vaccinated may significantly impact our workforce and operations. Similar to healthcare, police, fire, and public transportation workforces, the Omicron surge may exacerbate shortages and create significant disruptions. Further, all airline personnel are required to mask at airports and on airplanes."

Dive Insight:

Delta's request comes as the omicron variant spreads throughout the U.S., after cases had dropped significantly with the delta variant's spread beginning to subside in late October. Nearly three-quarters of new coronavirus infections are now due to the omicron variant, according to some recent estimates.

The new wave comes with the unwelcome news that the variant is likely more contagious than its predecessors. On the positive side, however, early studies suggest the variant is likely also milder than previous strains of the virus. (Researchers have urged caution on this conclusion, however, as the science is still developing.)

In its letter, Delta also pointed out that the omicron variant is "associated with a shorter incubation period and infectious period among the fully vaccinated."

Delta's request and concern about how the COVID-19 isolation policy will affect business operations is the latest among industry objections to certain strategies governments have taken in addressing the pandemic over the past year.

In October, the Colorado Contractors Association filed a lawsuit against the city of Denver for requiring workers on public contracts to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Also in the construction field, multiple trade groups filed a suit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor.

The airline industry has generally been supportive of stringent coronavirus policies, with United Airlines implementing a policy that requires workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or, if they have a legitimate exemption, to be placed on unpaid leave. American, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines also backed up federal policy requiring workers to be vaccinated.

Whether the strain of the omicron variant's spread coupled with the still-tight labor market will cause other airlines to push back against policy as Delta has remains to be seen.