Dubai - At Dubai International airport, every traveller goes through unobtrusive thermal screening.
Published: Sat 7 Mar 2020, 4:51 PM
Last updated: Sat 7 Mar 2020, 7:01 PM
Emirates airline is using stronger, approved chemicals and materials, and using deep cleaning techniques to thoroughly disinfect aircraft cabins, the Dubai Media Office said on Saturday. "All aircraft have HEPA filters, which are proven to remove more than 99 per cent of viruses in the cabin environment."
This came as Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, thanked the UAE's health authorities for their "24/7 commitment and agility" these past weeks in keeping the country's travellers, communities and the cities safe during the Covid-19 crisis.
"We are conscious that as a country - which is a global travel hub and has the world's busiest international airport in Dubai - we have the responsibility of rolling out the world's best-in-class health and safety measures. The health authorities have been working with international bodies and experts to ensure we educate our communities and travellers on precautions and hand hygiene.
"Our highly trained teams are working around the clock to offer the maximum levels of care to our communities, and are monitoring international travellers who are transiting through or arriving in the UAE. They continue to do a stellar job, and their efforts will help our country retain its status as a global travel hub," said Sheikh Ahmed.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pegged the risk assessment of Covid-19 at the highest level, but is yet to declare it a pandemic. According to the WHO on March 4, 119 countries have not detected any cases of the virus. Of the 75 countries with cases, 47 have 10 cases or less. This means travel continues to be safe as long as governments and people take the right actions and precautions, the media office said.
Thermal screening at DXB
At Dubai International airport, every traveller goes through unobtrusive thermal screening.
For travellers and crew who are arriving from countries of concern and Covid-19 hotspots, the health authorities conduct medical checks that include enhanced temperature checks and nose swabs. When they detect a positive case, they follow international guidelines and conduct additional tests, which in turn helps support and treat the person.
There are dedicated medical teams across the airport, and their target for screening passengers and crew of a flight is within 40 minutes.
Sheikh Ahmed added: "The UAE has lived through some of the world's worst times - whether pandemics, natural disasters or recessions - and has always emerged stronger, fitter and better. I'm confident it will be no different this time around. We remain vigilant.
The UAE stands together as one."
sahim@khaleejtimes.com
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