Airport staff raise protection concerns

Airport staff have raised concerns over a lack of protective equipment as the new coronavirus continues to spread.

Staff at Manchester Airport working for a Chinese airline told GMB union they were given face masks but not gloves or hand sanitiser.

The workers aid :“passengers put their passport sin their mouths and the staff are touching them.

“They’ve only been given masks. I asked a manager about gloves, wipes and hand gel. I got the stock answer: ‘I’ll ask’.”

And employees at East Midlands, Liverpool and Stansted airports said there was not sufficient protective equipment, the union said.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “No one should have to go to work worrying about whether they’ll be exposed to a killer infection. The coronavirus is spreading across the world and everyone needs to do what they can to stop it. Surely protecting airport staff is the most basic requirement to keep us all safe?”

The coronavirus is believed to be spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes and may also be able to survive on surfaces. The outbreak was declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.