Anger at face mask ban
HEATHROW’S BORDER FORCE OFFICERS SAY THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE PROTECTIVE GEAR
BORDER Force officers at Heathrow and other airports are increasingly angry that they are being “coughed and breathed on all the time” but are “not allowed” to wear face masks while carrying out their frontline work.
An officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, told MyLondon that they feel their role as the welcoming face at the UK border is being prioritised over their wellbeing, and that they should be allowed to choose whether to wear extra protection.
While it is understood that officially face masks and other PPE (personal protective equipment) is available to airport staff, officers claim they are being denied it by managers.
The concerns come after it was confirmed a second Border Force officer, who worked at Heathrow Airport, had died after contracting Covid-19. It is not known where they came into contact with the virus.
Airports across London and the country as a whole continue to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is partly to repatriate British people who were stuck abroad and to allow crucial cargo to be delivered.
The key worker, who didn’t want to reveal what airport they work at, said lots of colleagues are “very animated and worried” about the “ban” on wearing face masks, particularly as they feel they are “potentially putting our lives at risk” to do their job .
Currently hand sanitisers and gloves are provided, they said.
In the role, the officer said they are unable to socially distance due to duties such as body and baggage searches, fingerprint taking and conversations with passengers.
“We are literally in physical contact whatever the Public Health England advice is or isn’t,” the officer said. “We see lots of people who are in far less problematic positions than we are wearing face masks and we don’t get to wear them.
“We are all coming into work and there is this fear that exists that I’m putting my own life at risk, but [also the lives] of my colleagues and my family.
“Everyone has their fear over their heads and it is not being addressed.”
The officer also believes there have been instances where staff have refused to undertake searches or close physical contact with passengers displaying coronavirus symptoms.
And they claim that communication “doesn’t exist” between other agencies such as Public Health England and airlines in warning Border Force officers of possibly ill approaching passengers.
“There is no communication. We may get a passenger who may come to the desk and is coughing and spluttering all over you. It has happened,” they said.
“We find out by default or by being coughed on.”
And the officer said there was initially “frustration and disbelief” at the stark contrast between protection for themselves and Public Health England (PHE) officials when they are called to come and deal with a symptomatic passenger.
“If PHE come down, they come down in hazmat suits,” they said.
“It is increasingly the case people have got angry as time has gone on – increasingly thinking, this is just ridiculous.”
The PCS Union, which represents Border Force staff, said it is a “disgrace” that members working at passport control were denied face masks by management because it gives the “wrong impression”.
“The Home Secretary must intervene and ensure our members can go to work fully protected from coronavirus,” general secretary Mark Serwotka said.
A Government spokesperson insisted that face masks are available.
They said: “The safety of our Border Force officers and operational staff is of utmost importance and we continue to support them, with daily calls and meetings for issues to be discussed.
“In line with Public Health England guidance, all operational staff have the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) available to them, along with detailed guidance on how to safely deal with individuals who display coronavirus symptoms.”