Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) Director ACK Nair said that Kochi airport is fully equipped to receive the NRIs trapped in various foreign countries due to COVID outbreak. All arrangements have been made at the airport to prevent disease transmission, he said in a special interview with Mathrubhumi News.
An aerobridge has been kept for maintaining social distancing between the passengers and between passengers and airport staff. Hand sanitizing facility is arranged at the exit point of the aerobridge. Also marking has been given to help maintain physical distancing while waiting there.
The passengers are allowed to enter only through a thermal scanner so that high temperatures can be detected easily. They will be separately isolated. If anyone is found with more symptoms, they will not be allowed to enter other parts of the airport and will be shifted to hospital in special ambulance via airside. Staff from health department and others will be present here for this purpose.
After check-up of health department, a self-declaration form should be submitted. Then the passengers can move to emigration. Facilities to maintain social distancing is arranged at emigration and conveyor belt where baggage is received. Baggage will reach conveyor belt after being sanitized.
After receiving the baggage, facilities are set up for the passengers to take rest. The government officials will take them to quarantine centre from there, the CIAL director made it clear. The first flight carrying NRIs will reach Nedumbassery airport on Thursday night.
A total of 2150 people will be repatriated in 10 flights in the first phase. Ahead of their arrival, three-phase disinfection process and mock drills have been completed at the airport to ensure safety.
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