What impact will Covid-19 have on airports?

Summer has officially started and, despite the pandemic, several countries are opening their borders just in time for the highly-anticipated travel season. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, there are some adjustments to health protocols, especially at airports.

Airports are considered the gateway to the country and the primary connection with the rest of the world. But in these times of COVID-19, airports are considered hotspots where the virus can potentially spread from one person to another. This was the reason why many countries decided to close their airports temporarily. Now that countries are gradually opening, airports are also welcoming back tourists and travellers.

What is the most visible change inside the airports?

When arriving at the airport, the first thing you will probably notice is how empty it will be. There are several reasons for this. Overall, the demand for flights has decreased drastically, some countries are still limiting the entry to their territories to only essential travel, and, because of the limited number of tourists, fewer airport employees and ground crews are needed.

The other reason for the drop in activity at airports is that non-fliers cannot enter the airports, but instead have to wait outside to minimize the number of people in a closed space. You will also notice the social distancing rules to increase the space between people who are already in the terminals and on the planes.

Do you have to take a Covid-19 tests at the airports?

Aside from the usual thermal screening, airports are creating COVID-19 rapid test infrastructures. These allow the governments to screen passengers for coronavirus immediately, and if needed, quarantine passengers on an individual basis.

Most airports already have isolation rooms in their vicinity. With this, a person with positive with Covid-19, even if asymptomatic, can be removed from the main flow of passengers. This minimizes interaction and, subsequently, the possibility of passing on the virus to other travellers or airport staff.

Is it mandatory to wear a face mask while at the airports?

Every reputable health institution says wearing a mask is one of the most effective means to stop the virus from spreading. Because of this, in most airports is mandatory to wear face masks. This ensures that passengers remain protected even when close to each other.

Wearing a facemask prevents droplets from potentially spreading. The most common mode of transmission of the virus is directly through coughing or by touching a surface containing the droplets and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Wearing a mask protects both you and those around you.

Do I have to wear a face mask for the flight?

Aside from airports mandating masks, there are already cases of airlines placing passengers not wearing masks on their no-fly list. Passengers will need to continue wearing the face masks while in the airplane. To ensure its compliance, airlines are now using technics such as including a mask when travellers book their flights or having them in the travel kit of business class.

Why don't they apply safety distance in airplanes?

In theory, carriers are supposed to impose social distancing measures inside their airplanes strictly. However, this does not happen all the time. For those companies who do, a common strategy is to block out middle seats to increase the distance between passengers, even in economy class. It is best to ask your preferred airline directly or read their COVID-19 guidelines before booking your flights.

What are the other measures that passengers can expect?

As mentioned previously, the virus can also be transmitted by touching surfaces that have the droplets of an infected person. To prevent the spreading of the virus via touching surfaces, airports are now installing touchless technology. This includes facial recognition or iris-scanning biometrics to avoid the need for personnel touching the passengers’ ID while verifying their identity. Another innovation that will continue to be used is mobile phones with the boarding passes instead of the traditional paper copy.

Airports have also got more innovative disinfection measures to eliminate the virus. Passengers can expect to pass through disinfection tunnels, and luggage will be sanitized by fogging or using UV-light technology. Airlines have also stepped up in cleaning their cabins. Some use misting machines to spray chemicals to kill the virus.

Until when will these measures be in place?

The answer is simple. Until a verified treatment or a mass-produced vaccine is available to the public, these measures will remain in place. Just like any other pandemic, these extreme measures are bound to end. We might not see it in the very near future, but we are optimistic that COVID-19 will soon just be another disease that we conquer.