BAC introduces additional health and safety measures at airport
MANAMA: Additional health and safety measures are being rolled out to protect passengers and staff at Bahrain’s airport amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Access to the terminal at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) is being restricted to airport and airline staff and passengers, although exceptions will be made for those accompanying passengers with reduced mobility or unaccompanied minors.
The Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) said yesterday that wearing face masks is mandatory for all passengers and airport staff, which can be obtained from PPE vending machines that will also offer hand sanitisers and disposable gloves.
Passengers will need to arrive at the airport up to three hours in advance of departure due to additional screening procedures put in place to combat the pandemic.
Temperature screening is also mandatory at all entry points to the terminal and before boarding, while passengers must adhere to social distancing measures with footprint stickers and seat blockers introduced.
In addition to general cleaning and approved disinfection programme, all frequently touched surfaces are sanitised, while plastic security trays are sanitised at the entry and exit of the security locations.
BAC said in a statement yesterday that the new measures are in line with an advisory circular from the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA), which follow the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s latest guidelines for combating the novel coronavirus and support preventative measures recommended by the Health Ministry.
The measures will be regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the situation evolves, added the company.
The advisory circular also covers precautionary measures to be addressed by airline operators and ground handlers.
“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 country,” said BAC chief executive Mohamed Al Binfalah.
“As the world moves towards the recovery phase of 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 country’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.”
