New safety measures at airport

TDT| Manama

Additional health and safety measures to protect the wellbeing of passengers and staff are being rolled out at Bahrain International Airport (BIA), Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) announced yesterday. This is following an advisory circular issued by the Kingdom’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA).

The CAA guidelines are in line with the latest standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for combatting the coronavirus (COVID-19) and supporting preventative measures recommended by the Ministry of Health. The measures will be regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the situation evolves.

“Since the start of the pandemic, BAC has implemented a number of precautionary measures recommended by the Health Ministry and worked closely with its partners at the airport to ensure the health of passengers and airport staff, and the protection of public health in the Kingdom,” said BAC CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah.

“As the world moves towards the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resumption of flights, we are determined to put in place effective control measures to reassure and welcome both staff and passengers safely. “We are taking careful steps to support the Kingdom’s aviation sector during this time.

We remind passengers that they also have an important role to play in this process and look forward to their ongoing understanding and support.” In line with the new health and safety measures, access to the terminal is restricted to airport and airline staff and passengers, although exceptions will be made for those accompanying passengers with reduced mobility or unaccompanied minors.

Wearing face masks is mandatory for all passengers and airport staff at BIA and these can be obtained from personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machine that also offer hand sanitisers, disposable gloves, and other sanitisers. Passengers will need to arrive at the airport up to three hours ahead of departure due to additional screening procedures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temperature screening is also mandatory at all entry points to the terminal and before boarding. Passengers must adhere to social distancing measures at the terminal and offices, and footprint stickers and seat blockers are in place to remind them to keep their distance. In addition to general cleaning and an approved disinfection programme, all frequently touched surfaces are sanitised, and plastic security trays are sanitised at the entry and exit of security locations.

The CAA advisory circular also covers precautionary measures to be addressed by airline operators and ground handlers. BAC is committed to supporting the ongoing efforts of the National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19 and to continue working and coordinating its plans with its airport partners.