Stricter disinfection, hygiene control implemented at airports

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has intensified its coordinated response to help mitigate the spread of the virus at all its airports, Kempton Express reports.

The intensified precautionary measures are aligned to the standards and protocols provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

Flight scheduling and travel bans on foreign nationals from high risk countries

Following President Ramaphosa’s announcement of a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries, including Italy, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, United Kingdom, China and Iran from March 18, ACSA urges passengers to check on the status of incoming and outbound flights with their respective airlines or on its live flight information website, https://www.airports.co.za/utilities/live-flight-info.

Strengthening screening and testing measures at international airports

Officials continue to use thermal screening on all passengers entering South Africa, with those passengers identified as potentially infected at the airport channelled to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases for further testing. All passengers are also asked to complete a questionnaire before landing to assist with the detection and tracing of potential infections from high-risk areas.

Hygiene control in airport facilities

Airports Company South Africa has implemented strict disinfection and hygiene control procedures at its airports, particularly at arrival gates, buses and all passenger facilitation areas.

The number of hand sanitising stations has been increased and the cleaning schedules of high contact surfaces updated for more frequent sterilisation with ammonia and chlorine-based cleaning compounds in line with NICD recommendations.

All Airports Company South Africa front-line staff have been supplied with protective respiratory masks and gloves to minimise the risk of infection.

Education and Awareness

In support of government’s efforts to educate the general public about prevention of Covid-19, Airports Company South Africa has implemented a digital and social media communications campaign, including terminal building announcements to create awareness around prevention measures.

These include regular hand-washing and use of sanitiser stations, keeping a social distance of at least 2m between other people as well as avoiding touching surfaces and handshaking.

Airports Company South Africa urges travellers to follow the advice of global authorities and to avoid false or deceptive information. The global authority on detecting, managing and preventing Covid-19 is the World Health Organisation and authority lies with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases at the country level. We advise travellers and members of the public seeking further information to treat the organisation’s web site as the authoritative source of information about Covid-19.