The new rules stipulate that cockpit and cabin crews must comply with CAA directives that were devised based on Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) epidemic prevention rules and health guidelines.
The rules will remain in effect as long the CECC, convened in January 2020 to manage Taiwan's COVID-19 response, operates.
Violations will incur fines of NT$600,000 (US$21,346) to NT$3 million for carriers and NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 for individual flight crew members under the Civil Aviation Act, CAA officials said Monday.
There is currently no law that stipulates penalties for health violations by flight crews when they are on duty in flight or have an overnight flight, leaving a loophole in COVID-19 prevention efforts, the officials said.
It is also the first time fines for violating epidemic prevention protocols have been written into the Civil Aviation Act, the officials said.
To date, the CECC has only put in place quarantine measures for flight crews on flights to foreign countries after their return to Taiwan, with violators facing penalties under the Communicable Disease Control Act.
According to the new CAA rules, flight crew members should observe in-flight service protocols, including always wearing a mask and protective gear and using crew-only toilets.
They must also room alone and not have any visitors when staying overnight at a foreign destination, with exceptions for approved special needs, according to the CAA.
The revised regulations will take effect within the next few days, the CAA said.
The new rules also cover other airline personnel such as ground staff and maintenance workers, who are required to follow other health protocols.
