Further steps that reduce the possibility of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 at the airport have been unveiled by Heathrow.
As the country readjusts to life after lockdown, the UK's only hub airport has implemented a wide range of technologies to protect passengers and peers.
These include UV cleaning robots that use UV rays to kill viruses and bacteria rapidly and efficiently at night; UV handrail technology is mounted on escalators to ensure the moving handrails are constantly disinfected; and self-cleaning anti-viral wraps are installed on safety trays, lift buttons, trolleys and door handles to provide long-lasting protection from COVID-19. In a material with long-lasting anti-viral protection, the wraps operate by covering high-touch surfaces.
Heathrow is retraining 100 colleagues as hygiene technicians who will thoroughly clean the airport and answer questions from passengers about the procedures used. The success of the latest technology will be tracked by these technicians.
Heathrow carefully analyzed each phase of the passenger journey prior to these trials to determine main touchpoints where anti-viral technologies and interventions will have the most effect. At these touchpoints, Travel Safe Pit Stops are carried out where passengers can pick up face masks, anti-viral wipes and hand sanitiser for free.
In addition to the steps taken by the airport to ensure passengers feel safe while flying, these improved cleaning initiatives include the implementation of Perspex barriers, mandatory face covers, one-way systems and touchless facilities available on Heathrow and airline apps. Apple is testing helpful updates for travelers arriving at Heathrow for the first time somewhere outside the U.S., leading iOS users to the new airport travel guidance.
"John Holland Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said We have checked the entire history of Heathrow airport to ensure that our passengers and colleagues are kept healthy as travel resumes to the countries of 'Orange' and 'Amber.' Now with Similar International Requirements for COVID-19 testing from 'Red' countries, we need the government to safely restore Britain's long-haul connections as the country prepares for life outside the EU.
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