Coronavirus: Medical Volunteers Offered Free Delta Flights To GA

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has announced it will offer free round-trip flights to Georgia and two other states for medical professionals responding to the new coronavirus. Medical volunteers are eligible by signing up for state volunteer programs in Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan, where volunteers will be deployed to hospitals in areas significantly impacted by the virus.

Delta is offering the free round-trip flights throughout April as a start. Medical volunteers should contact state offices to check each state's needs. Once states choose their medical professionals, Delta will coordinate with state and local government to make flight reservations. The flights can be booked up to three days before travel.

"Delta is a great member of the Georgia corporate family and their willingness to go above and beyond to assist medical professionals in this difficult time should be applauded," said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a statement. "We look forward to working with Delta and all Georgia businesses in coordination with the Coronavirus Task Force to take the fight to COVID-19."

Delta is looking into expanding the program to other hard-hit states, including California, New York and Washington. Medical volunteers interested in helping with the coronavirus response in Georgia should contact providers@gema.ga.gov.

Get the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Georgia as they happen. Sign up for free news alerts and a newsletter in your Patch town.

The company is also using idled planes to transport supplies to keep supply chain lines open. It is also working with the U.S. State Department and other governments to help residents of the U.S. and other countries return home.

The airline says it is utilizing cleaning measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. That includes disinfecting airport customer service areas several times a day, using an EPA-registered disinfectant on all flights, using a fogging process (often used in healthcare facilities) to disinfect all transoceanic flights, staff inspections of aircraft cleanliness before boarding, and instructions for passengers to maintain extra feet from others. Delta is working to allow customers to change seating assignments to spread out when possible.

SEE ALSO: GA Coronavirus Cases Top 2,300; 69 Deaths Reported