Covid-19: The workers stuck in the cycle of perpetual managed isolation

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Dave Church pilots Dreamliners to exotic destinations around the world only to be trapped in a hotel room upon arrival.

The Air New Zealand captain endures 18 days each month in self-isolation under strict rules governing air crew to reduce the risk of Covid-19 entering the community.

“You’re conscious of the fact Covid is quite prevalent in a lot of countries,” Church said, “... but it is hard to sit at your window and see everyone walking around the streets enjoying themselves when we’re locked in our hotel rooms.”

“The challenge with it all is to maintain that momentum to keep wanting to go back to work because you know everyone back home has the freedoms of a free lifestyle.”

When crew return home from virus-ridden North America, they face another three days’ confinement in a managed isolation hotel “and that makes it even harder because it could be up to seven days in isolation”, he said.

“... If you look at it from the fact that the general public get a bit upset about being locked in for two weeks, well we can do it for up to a week, have four days off then do it all again, possibly three times a month.”

“Covid fatigue” proved prevalent amongst crew because of the repetitiveness of self-isolation, the Remuera resident said.

While enthusiasm was waning, they were thankful to have a job, he said, and were providing an essential service repatriating passengers along with exporting primary produce.

They took Ministry of Health regulations seriously and were vigilant about not bringing Covid-19 back into the country, said Church, 53.

“You’re also conscious of the fact that being locked in your room is incredibly boring and for a lot of people is quite challenging. There’s a mental wellbeing aspect to the whole thing.”

While operating, Church is subjected to nasopharyngeal tests (swabs up the nose) for Covid-19 every seven days.

Staff must don full face shields, masks and gloves walking through the airport at Los Angeles, which is deemed high risk.

He said social interaction with workmates was limited to the flight deck of the Boeing 787 he flies.

“We no longer are allowed in the cabin of the aircraft either, to mingle and talk to the passengers.

“We’re allowed to leave the flight deck to go to the bunk [to sleep] and that’s about it.”

Back in New Zealand, crew can be ostracised by people who fear catching Covid-19, he said.

“There is certainly a view out in the public that we shouldn’t be associated with.”

Church said people had been turned away from parties, and he had been approached on the sports field while watching his son play cricket.

“I’ve been asked what I was doing there because I was a crew member.”

Read about other air crew in perpetual managed isolation here:

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