3 minute read
Airports Authority unveils major changes to travel
But still no new date for airports reopening
Pictured are some of the new changes being put in place ahead of the reopening of the TCI’s airports to facilitate social distancing and curb the spread of Covid-19
BY DELANA ISLES
THE TCI Airports Authority has instituted new protocols to ensure the health and safety of its staff and the travelling public when the airports are reopened.
Among the measures will be floor markers, mandatory masks, hand hygiene stations, guard shields, regular deep cleans and blocked seats.
No new date has been confirmed as to when the airports will open to the public, but work is moving to get the facilities ready.
The announcement of the new protocols was shared on Friday, May 22, on the authority’s website and social media accounts.
It said it is working with the Ministry of Health to put the new measures in place, beginning already with disinfecting common areas and encouraging all users to adopt proper hand hygiene.
In a press statement, chief executive officer of the TCIAA, John Smith said: “We appreciate all efforts being made by the Government, health officials and all of our partners that are doing their best to keep travel safe for everyone.
The suspension of flight operations in the TCI is set to expire on June 1 at 6am, but it is expected that the Government will institute a new date for reopening of airports before this happens.
When the airports are reopened, everyone will be required to wear face masks in order to receive services.
Staff members will be equipped with masks and shields to safely interact with passengers.
Officers of the Ministry of Health will continue to have a presence at the facility to monitor operations as well as monitor arriving passengers.
New positioning to ensure social distancing has been set out at all immigration booths in addition to guard shields.
New hand sanitiser stations have been added to the facilities in order to better facilitate hand hygiene.
All stakeholders will be reminded to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds several times a day (every 30 to 45 minutes) with announcements over the loudspeaker.
Already, airport staff have increased cleaning frequencies at rest rooms and hot spots.
All airlines flying into the TCI have been encouraged to practice social distancing while in flight on route to the territory.
Upon entering the facility, patrons will see social distancing reminders and signs throughout the building.
These signs will include six feet floor markers inside and outside of the terminal, so as to lessen confusion and ensure compliance.
Seating decals will also be placed throughout the departure lounges to block out seats that do not fit social distancing standards.
All retailers and airlines have been encouraged to institute proper disinfecting protocols for their immediate areas and crafts.
The TCIAA said it will be making moves to stagger flights
so as to minimise clusters in the arrival and departure areas.
Security officers will be cleaning bins after each use and sanitising everyone upon entry into security areas.
These officers will also insist that passengers remove all items from their pockets and body in order to expedite movement through the walk-through metal detector.
Meanwhile, passengers will be allowed to carry up to 12 ounces or 350 millilitres of alcoholbased sanitiser through security checkpoints.
Consequently, travellers will have to arrive at the airport earlier than usual to navigate through these new measures.
Passengers that feel ill are asked to avoid travel and alert their healthcare professional.
The TCIAA reminded that these new protocols are being adopted to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection to travellers and employees when airport operations resume.
Air travel all around the world has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic which saw the closure of airports and grounding of vast numbers of aircraft since March.
