ACSA intensifies measures at airports to deal with coronavirus
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health conducted an inspection visit to OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
On the advice of the department of health, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has intensified measures at its airports to detect, manage and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
These measures are in addition to the continuing strict screening of incoming passengers that is undertaken by Port Health.
The intensified precautionary measures are aligned to standards and protocols provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
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The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health conducted an inspection visit to OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chairperson of the committee, said: “As committee members we were impressed by the measures being put in place by ACSA. We were also pleased to observe that strict protocols for screening incoming passengers by Port Health officials remain in place.”
Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of ACSA, on Saturday led a briefing to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health about measures being put in place at the company’s three international airports as well as other regional airports.
The inspection visit of the committee on Friday included an extensive presentation, questions by committee members and a tour of the terminal buildings at OR Tambo International Airport. The airport is second only to Beit Bridge in terms of the number of international visitors arriving and departing South Africa.
The tour of the terminal buildings enabled members of the committee to inspect the measures that have been implemented at international arrivals, covering immigration and transit areas as well as the isolation facility for those with the disease symptoms.
Said Mpofu: “We are most appreciative of the opportunity to engage directly with members of the portfolio committee. Their interest and concern was evident. Members sought clear responses to their direct and pertinent questions and we endeavoured to respond in detail.”
Mpofu said the company was encouraged by the positive response at the end of the inspection visit.
“As committee members we were impressed by the measures being put in place by ACSA. We were also pleased to observe that strict protocols for screening incoming passengers by Port Health officials remains in place,” said Dhlomo.
