We’ve published information to help you work out if can return to work after COVID-19 illness.
Self-assessment checklist
Use our self-assessment checklist after you have recovered from COVID-19 to help identify:
- whether you can go back to aviation activities
- whether you will need further follow-up and support.
If you answer no to all of the questions, you:
- can return to your aviation duties
- do not need a review from a Designated Aviation Medicine Examiner (DAME)
- must continue to follow the relevant public health orders for your state or territory.
If you answer yes to any of the questions, you must visit a DAME before returning to aviation activities.
The checklist also has guidance about residual COVID-19 symptoms and when these warrant a review.
Using personal protective equipment
Working in aviation you need to make sure your use of any personal protective equipment (PPE) doesn't interfere with your safety.
Communication for flight crew requires clear enunciation, both with other crew and with air traffic control over the radio.
You may need to temporarily lift or remove your PPE mask to speak clearly, but you should replace it as soon as possible. You should not impair your vision with PPE. Consider the effect of your PPE on oxygen masks and other emergency equipment.
ICAO has published guidance for crew.
Medical certificate extensions
You may have to cancel or postpone appointments because of isolation, testing, or a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Where this will lead to your medical certificate expiring, use our contact us form to let us know your new appointment date. We will extend your certificate for up to 2 months if your certificate has not already expired.
We will consider any request for further extensions due to COVID-19 impacts on a case-by-case basis.