Airport leads way on safety push
MANCHESTER Airport has become the country’s first airport to ask passengers to cover their faces and wear gloves as bosses launch a new ‘heatseeking’ camera to screen for high temperatures.
Passengers travelling through the hub are now being asked to follow the new guidance, with face coverings to include masks, scarves, or other makeshift methods using clothing. There is also a new heatseeking camera in Terminal One security, which will scan for signs of a fever related to Covid-19 in every passenger. However, bosses have stressed this is only a trial of the technology and passengers will not be told the result of the scan – nor will it affect whether or not they can travel.
Bosses plan to share the results of the trial with other airports and the government to help guide future rules on international travel.
Staff will also be wearing gloves and masks and bosses are considering asking all passengers to make a health declaration in order to enter its airports – but will give passengers sufficient notice of any such trials.
Bosses say the new rule is designed to ‘demonstrate one way which air travel can be made safe as passenger numbers start to grow again in the future.’
The measures are being brought in at Manchester Airport Group’s other airports, Stansted and East Midlands, making them the first in the UK to ask passengers to wear face coverings.
Passengers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and face coverings or face masks to the airport. However, in the early stages of the pilot, for those arriving without, the airport will provide gloves and masks from dedicated stations in Arrivals and Departures. Staff will be on hand to guide passengers and help them navigate the usual security processes while wearing protective equipment.
Airport boss Charlie Cornish has been critical of the government’s lack of guidance on airport safety standards up to now and they have implemented the changes themselves, with guidance from scientific experts. Mr Cornish said: “It’s clear that social distancing will not work on any form of public transport. But we’re confident that when the time is right, people will be able to travel safely. MAG has worked with the rest of the air