ISO/TS 17371:2023

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 17371
First edition
2023-12
Healthcare organization
management — Infection prevention
and control (IPC) measures for cross-
border workers
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Abbreviated terms . 3
5 Process requirements . 3
5.1 Overview . 3
5.2 Pre-departure . 5
5.2.1 General . 5
5.2.2 (Step 1) Exemption to travel restriction . 6
5.2.3 (Step 2) Pre-departure respiratory virus test . 6
5.2.4 (Step 3) Pre-departure quarantine . 7
5.3 Border crossing . 8
5.3.1 General . 8
5.3.2 (Step 4) Charter flight . 8
5.3.3 (Step 5) Immigration for border entry . 9
5.4 Quarantine and commute . 9
5.4.1 General . 9
5.4.2 (Step 6) On-trip quarantine . 10
5.4.3 (Step 7) Post-quarantine commute . 11
5.4.4 (Step 8) Return.12
6 Selecting service providers .12
6.1 General .12
6.2 Screening stations . 14
6.3 Charter flights . 14
6.4 Quarantine accommodations .15
6.5 Disinfected buses . 15
7 Cross-border workers .16
7.1 General . 16
7.2 Testing for respiratory virus . 17
7.3 When using charter flights . 17
7.4 When staying in quarantine accommodation . 17
7.5 After being released from quarantine . 18
7.6 When using a disinfected bus . 18
Annex A (informative) Status of border closure due to COVID-19 outbreak .19
Annex B (informative) Example of cross-border business travel amidst a pandemic .21
Bibliography .23
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 304, Healthcare organization management.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, each country is taking precautionary measures against the influx of
infected patients from overseas through entry restrictions (see Annex A). Such restrictions on cross-
border movements deter economic, social, and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and threaten the
business continuity of companies, thereby adversely affecting the global economy (−4,9 % 2020 global
economic growth rate, source: IMF).
During a pandemic such as COVID-19, industries most directly affected by the discontinued business
operations are energy, construction, and manufacturing due to their heavy dependence on overseas
production. The business entities that fall under these industries require constant movement of their
staff to overseas production sites; and when the onsite absence of essential dispatch staff is prolonged,
production and developments are disrupted.
Such disruptions can lead to a vicious cycle in the global economy and ultimately the global community
where production plunges and the plunge affects corporate revenue and employment capacity causing
market demand to diminish. To prevent such a situation from becoming structured, a set of standardized
cross-border travel procedures facilitating the movement of workers vital to the continuity of the
economy during a pandemic becomes essential.
This document focuses on practical information for facilitating the full cycle of cross-border business
travel amidst a pandemic when the majority of nations are restricting entry.
NOTE COVID-19 is an exemplary disease for which the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are
developed.
v
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 17371:2023(E)
Healthcare organization management — Infection
prevention and control (IPC) measures for cross-border
workers
1 Scope
This document specifies the infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for cross-border workers.
It is applicable only in the circumstance of novel infectious disease outbreak while valid vaccine or drug
for treatment are not available. It can be used for the purpose of maintaining economic activities when
a country that workers need to enter blocks its border due to a pandemic or epidemic (Annex A).
This document provides information on the key aspects and details of the process requirements,
procedures for selecting service providers, such as travel management company, and procedures for
cross-border workers amidst a pandemic, encompassing the complete set of stages from ‘pre-departure’,
‘border crossing’, ‘quarantine and commute’, to ‘return’, and is addressed to all stakeholders involved in
travel, whether from the public or private sector.
NOTE Stakeholders are comprised of but not limited to health authority, healthcare organization and
screening stations, accommodation services, transportation services, travel agencies, and private companies
including their contractors and providers.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
border crossing
place on a shared border between two countries where people cross
3.2
business trip
single round journey an individual makes on business
3.3
charter flight
hired flight in an aircraft for a predetermined payment
3.4
commute
travel regularly between two points in space
3.5
company
owner, operator, or license or duty holder of the authorized work
[SOURCE: ISO 35101:2017, 3.4]
3.6
contactless
without physical touch or interaction between people
3.7
disinfection
process to reduce the number of microorganisms, but not usually of bacterial spores, without
necessarily killing or removing all organisms
[SOURCE: ISO 15190:2020, 3.9]
3.8
droplet
very small drop of liquid
[SOURCE: ISO 15190:2020, 3.10, modified — The term has been changed to singular form; notes to entry
have been removed.]
3.9
entry permit
official document with permission to enter a country of which the owner of the document is not a
national
3.10
health authority
organization responsible for health care facilities and their services in a particular jurisdiction
3.11
health questionnaire
structured health-related questions for collecting data about an individual’s health
3.12
immigration authority
official government body that regulates and enforces laws on immigration and immigrants
3.13
kiosk
separate physical device that is part of the automated border control systems which can be used for
assessing the eligibility of travellers for self-process
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TR 29195:2015, 2.5, modified — “ABC” has been replaced with “automated border
control”.]
3.14
landing permit
authorization to land at a given airport
3.15
medical certificate
document that proves that its holder is in good health
3.16
pandemic
worldwide spread of a disease
[SOURCE: ISO/PAS 45005:2020, 3.5]
3.17
public agency
entity that regulates public affairs
3.18
screening station
disinfected area with or without negative, positive or an adaptable pressure in which the screening
process of individuals occurs
3.19
service provider
organization that contracts to provide one or more service instances to a customer
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-1Q:2020, 3.225]
3.20
symptom
untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation subject administered a
pharmaceutical product that does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 21835:2020, 3.13]
3.21
travel management company
TMC
agent that manages business travel requirements of others such as individuals and companies (3.5)
3.22
travel manager
person who operates and administers travel programs for other entities such as companies (3.5) and
travel agencies
3.23
travel restriction
rule that limits the availability of services related to travel
4 Abbreviated terms
COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019
PPE personal protection equipment
IPC infection prevention and control
5 Process requirements
5.1 Overview
During an overseas business trip amid a pandemic, ensuring the prevention of infectious disease for
cross-border workers should be top priority.
To prevent viral infections during an overseas business trip, a cross-border movement process which
incorporates pre-emptive measures aligned with the relevant government policies and regulations of
both the origin and destination countries shall be established (see Annex B). Such a process consists of
pre-departure, border crossing, quarantine and commute, and return stage of a trip (Figure 1).
Key
a cross-border workers in departure country
b charter bus
c charter flight
d border control
e arrival country
f public health authority
g healthcare professionals in hospitals and screening stations
NOTE This figure illustrates when there is no valid vaccine or drug for novel infectious disease.
Figure 1 — Overview of IPC measures for cross-border workers
The above-mentioned stages can be subdivided into the 8 steps shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 — Travel process during a pandemic
a) Pre-departure
The pre-departure stage consists of three steps to be conducted prior to departure.
1) Step 1: exemption to travel restriction
Companies submit required documents citing the purpose of entry to the relevant public
agency (e.g. immigration authorities) of the destination country.
2) Step 2: pre-departure respiratory virus test
When entry is permitted, cross-border workers test for viral infection by the testing method
designated by the relevant public agency (e.g. health authorities) of the destination country.
3) Step 3: pre-departure quarantine
Cross-border workers quarantine until departure to prevent the risk of infection after testing.
b) Border crossing
The border crossing stage consists of two steps to be conducted to cross and enter the border of the
destination country.
1) Step 4: charter flight
Cross-border workers use charter flight services for the purpose of border crossing.
2) Step 5: immigration for border entry
Upon arrival cross-border workers undergo immigration screening.
c) Quarantine and commute
The quarantine and commute stage consists of two steps to be conducted following immigration.
1) Step 6: on-trip quarantine
Following border entry, cross-border workers self-quarantine for a period specified by the
destination country.
2) Step 7: post-quarantine commute.
Following the release from quarantine, cross-border workers begin daily commute in
compliance with the procedure on infectious disease control and prevention specified by the
destination country.
d) Return
1) Step 8: return.
Cross-border workers return to the home country following completion of trip.
5.2 Pre-departure
5.2.1 General
The pre-departure stage is the process of preparing entry permit and documents required by the
destination country before departure. This stage consists of exemption to travel restriction in step 1,
pre-departure respiratory virus test in step 2, and pre-departure quarantine in step 3 (Figure 3).
Figure 3 — Pre-departure stage
‘Step 1 exemption to travel restriction’ consists of the procedures ‘applying for entry permit’ and
‘applying for landing permit.’
‘Step 2 pre-departure respiratory virus test’ consists of the procedures ‘receiving the respiratory virus
test’ and ‘conducting self-symptom check.’
‘Step 3 pre-departure quarantine’ consists of the procedures ‘quarantining after the respiratory virus
test’ and ‘obtaining the medical certificate and preparing for departure.’
The details of each procedure are specified in 5.2.2 to 5.2.4.
5.2.2 (Step 1) Exemption to travel restriction
Step 1 is a procedure for permitting border entry when national borders are blocked due to government
restrictions amidst a pandemic. In order to proceed with exemption to travel restriction, an approval of
entry to the destination country and a landing permit can be obtained.
a) Applying for entry permit
1) companies obtain an entry permit for business trips from the relevant public agency (e.g.
immigration authorities) of the destination country;
2) cross-border workers obtain the relevant visa when required by the relevant public agency
(e.g. immigration authorities) of the destination country.
b) Applying for landing permit
1) companies obtain a landing permit from the relevant public agency (e.g. immigration
authorities) of the destination country;
2) airlines that operate charter flight submits the landing permit to the relevant public agency
(e.g. civil aviation authorities) of the country of departure.
5.2.3 (Step 2) Pre-departure respiratory virus test
Following the acquirement of entry permit, cross-border workers receive the respiratory virus test to
obtain a medical certificate and conduct self-symptom checks as required by the destination country.
The medical certificate and self-symptom records are submitted as proof of health during immigration
for border entry in step 5 (5.3.3).
a) Receiving the respiratory virus test
1) Scheduling the test
The company schedules the test within the time limit for a valid medical certificate specified
by the destination country.
For example, if the destination country requires a medical certificate issued within 48 h prior
to entry, cross-border workers enter the destination country within 48 h after receiving the
medical certificate.
2) Receiving the test
— cross-border workers conduct pre-testing procedures (e.g. body temperature measurement,
health questionnaire) as required by the screening station;
— cross-border workers receive a respiratory virus test using the method required by the
destination country.
b) Conducting self-symptom check
1) Checking for respiratory virus symptoms
— cross-border workers should conduct self-symptom checks on a daily basis;
— cross-border workers should sustain self-symptom checks for the maximum incubation period
(e.g. 2 weeks in the case of COVID-19) of the virus;
— symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, and difficulty breathing;
— digital solutions such as smart devices (e.g. mobile, wearable) and applications may be utilized
to check symptoms and store results;
— when digital solutions are unavailable self-symptom check results should be recorded on a
paper form;
— self-symptom checks should be continued until the day of departure in step 4.
2) Submitting self-symptom check records
— cross-border workers should submit self-symptom check records to the relevant public agency
(e.g. health authorities) of the destination country in 5.3.3 (sub-item titled “border entry
screening”);
— record submission follows the terms (e.g. following each check, once a day) specified by the
destination country;
— record submission follows the methods (e.g. application, off-line submission) specified by the
destination country;
— the destination country shall receive consent from cross-border workers in advance on the
collection of personal data.
5.2.4 (Step 3) Pre-departure quarantine
Following the pre-departure respiratory virus test, cross-border workers should quarantine at a
quarantine accommodation or at home in order to prevent the spread of infection due to additional
external contact. During quarantine, cross-border workers receive the test results and, if negative,
obtains a medical certificate.
a) Quarantining after the respiratory virus test
1) Cross-border workers should quarantine in a quarantine accommodation o
...