Heathrow deploys further measures to keep the UK COVID-19 secure

Heathrow has unveiled further measures that reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 at the airport.

The UK’s only hub airport has adopted an extensive array of technology to protect passengers and colleagues, as the country readjusts to life post-lockdown.

These include UV cleaning robots which use UV rays to quickly and efficiently kill viruses and bacteria at night; UV handrail technology is being fitted to escalators to ensure continuous disinfection of the moving handrails; and self-cleaning anti-viral wraps are being fitted to security trays, lift buttons, trolley and door handles, aiming to provide long-lasting protection from COVID-19. The wraps work by coating high-touch surfaces in a material with long-lasting anti-viral protection.

Heathrow is retraining 100 colleagues to serve as hygiene technicians, who will thoroughly disinfect the airport and answer passenger queries on the methods being used. These technicians will monitor the effectiveness of the new technologies.

Prior to these trials, Heathrow meticulously reviewed every step of the passenger journey to identify key touchpoints where anti-viral technologies and measures would have the most impact. Fly Safe Pit Stops – points where passengers can pick up face masks, anti-viral wipes and hand sanitiser free of charge – are being rolled out at these touchpoints

These enhanced cleaning measures are in addition to steps the airport has taken to ensure passengers feel safe when travelling, including the introduction of Perspex barriers, compulsory face coverings, one-way systems and touchless services available on Heathrow and airline apps. For the first time anywhere outside the U.S., Apple is trialling informative alerts to passengers arriving at Heathrow, directing iOS users to the latest guidance on travelling through the airport.

Heathrow CEO, John Holland Kaye, said: “We have reviewed the entire Heathrow airport experience to ensure that our passengers and colleagues are kept safe as travel resumes to ‘Green’ and ‘Amber’ countries. Now we need the government to safely restore Britain’s long-haul connections as the country prepares for life outside the EU, with Common International Standards for COVID-19 testing from ‘Red’ countries.”