COVID-19 AND YOUR VISIT

COVID-19 continues to present significant challenges to all of us in multiple ways.  The most important thing we must do is to remain healthy - and that means following the precautions and guidelines from our Federal, State and Local leaders and health officials.

This involves such important things such as washing your hands, avoiding close contact as advised, covering your face in public areas, and always covering coughs/sneezes.  The most current guidance from the CDC is here.  Of course, it is vital to closely follow local advisories and recommendations, available through your state or local health website

We ask the following guidelines to be strictly followed by our patients:

•  YOU MUST WEAR A FACE MASK AT ALL TIMES YOU ARE INSIDE THE DOOR OF OUR BUILDING.   At the present time, this is perhaps the best way we can reduce the person-to-person transmission of the SARS CoV-2 virus.  (Of course, during your examination, Dr. Sherman will have you remove your mask for those tasks that require appropriate facial access.)
• Excellent information regarding the effectiveness of this simple precaution - and myths re-bunked - CLICK HERE

• If you have been ill, particularly with a fever/cough/runny nose/headaches/loss of taste or smell, consult your personal physician and reschedule after a minimum of 14 days after your last symptom has resolved.  Please do not come in until then.
• If you have tested POSITIVE for SARS CoV-2, ("Coronavirus/COVID-19)"  reschedule after a minimum of 14 days after your last symptom, or 14 days after you have tested negative (if tested after  you feel well again)  Please do not come in until then.

In accordance with Florida Executive Order 20-91, we are required to adopt certain social distancing methods to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and in our state.  As maintenance of medical certification is directly supporting transportation, our office is considered to be an "essential service," and is not required to close.

The FAA has temporarily suspended enforcement of expiration dates for medical certificates.  The FAA response is ongoing, and may change as the pandemic response changes.  Although the FAA has suspended enforcement, you still may have specific requirements from your employer, your insurer, or those of a foreign state you might be flying to.  Please consult your insurance company, your employer, or the aviation ministry of the country you plan to fly in regarding your medical certification requirements. 

The text of the FAA's advice follows:

Recent events regarding the COVID pandemic have led to significant access problems to Aviation Medical Examiners and other medical specialists. In response, the FAA will not enforce airman medical certificates which expire between the dates of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. The period of non-enforcement will be in place thru June 30, 2020. The specific language for this enforcement policy was published in the Federal Register and will be available online.

If you are able, we continue to encourage airmen to accomplish their regularly required airman medical certificate exam with an FAA AME.

The Office of Aerospace Medicine will publish any updated or new, approved medical certificate alternatives and/or certificate extensions as soon as those processes are approved and available.

If you have been you have been asked to provide additional medical information and your treating physician or other clinician is unable to assist at the current time due to COVID, we can provide a one-time extension upon your request.

The specific wording of the non-enforcement action is located at: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/media/COVID-19AirmanMedicalCertificatePolicy.pdf

We continue to work with senior leadership and subject matter experts within the FAA and the Department of Transportation to craft interim medical certificate solutions during the COVID pandemic.

Page Last Updated: March 27, 2020