SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- United
Airlines has partnered with Governor Newsom to provide free,
round-trip flights for medical volunteers traveling to California to help in the frontline fight
against the COVID-19 crisis. The airline is working closely with
the state of California to
coordinate travel for doctors, nurses and other medical
professionals from across the country to help treat patients, in
this time of unprecedented need.
"I want to thank United Airlines for stepping in in a big way to
help health care professionals. We couldn't be more grateful for
their largesse and support," said California Governor Gavin Newsom in a press conference today.
California currently has more
than 18,309 confirmed coronavirus cases and 507 fatalities in the
state to-date. Bringing medical volunteers to the state will help
bring much needed support to California's medical professionals and the
more than 2,825 individuals hospitalized, including the 1,132
people in intensive care.
"Our frontline healthcare workers are heroes. We are
profoundly grateful to them for their unwavering commitment to
support our communities and medical providers at this time of
exceptional need," said Janet
Lamkin, President, California for United Airlines. "It is our
hope that providing air travel at no cost will allow additional
courageous volunteers and first responders the ability to reach
health care facilities throughout California, which continues to feel the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic."
United is working with the state of California to ensure qualified medical
professionals are staffed in hospitals best suited to their areas
of expertise and have the proper housing and transportation to
enable them to effectively offer their services.
United remains committed to offering as many flights as possible
to connect much-needed medical professionals to the frontlines in
California, with 50 daily flights
into SFO and 13 daily flights at LAX. The airline plans to expand
this program to critical areas within the coming days and weeks to
allow more volunteers to offer their vitally important services in
the places that need them most.
Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the
program can visit the California State
website here.
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SOURCE United Airlines