{"id":812,"date":"2023-07-31T16:52:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T16:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webresources-uat.com\/acrp0425\/?page_id=812"},"modified":"2026-01-06T19:59:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T19:59:07","slug":"prevention-control-practices","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/crp.trb.org\/acrpwebresource22\/prevention-control-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevention & Control Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Prevention & Control Practices <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Introduction<\/h2>

Different procedures, tools, and technologies can help airports prevent or, in the instance of disease, control its spread.\u00a0 These involve potential response teams, mitigation tools like hand sanitizers and disinfectants, and communication practices that help manage response.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Airport Infectious Disease Plan Template<\/h2>

Rapid Response Teams<\/h3>

One airport implemented an ad hoc protocol for rapid COVID-19 decontamination. This process involved a 24\/7 control center that was set up to answer calls notifying them that an employee had tested positive for COVID-19. If a call was received, the control center would dispatch a decontamination team to quarantine and sanitize the infected employee’s work area. The decontamination of vehicles and shuttles was performed in a similar fashion. Similar systems of communication were relied on to notify, quarantine, and isolate employees who had tested positive for COVID-19. One airline had their ground support team modify a van with plexiglass between the driver\u2019s seat and the back seat to protect the driver from the infected employees. This van was used to transport infected employees out of the facility and into their cars while limiting exposure to others. All staff that tested positive for COVID-19 had to wear a mask, a face shield, and gloves. The positive employees would then follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for quarantine and isolation.<\/p>

An airport commission contracted a janitorial service company to establish a formal COVID-19 rapid response team for cleaning and disinfecting the work area of any airport community worker diagnosed with COVID-19. The rapid response team consisted of five people: two supervisors and three team members per shift. The team was designed to respond within one to two hours and trained to respond to biological hazards, and potentially infectious spills or incidents as needed.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stakeholders<\/h3>

Stakeholders directly involved in airport and airline operations as they relate to infectious disease preparedness and response (particularly COVID-19 impacts)
including airport authority leadership, airport planning personnel, and
management involved in infectious disease planning. Third-party stakeholders
are critical to the operation of the airport but may not be under direct
management of the airport, introducing additional challenges during a pandemic
response. These stakeholders may include airlines, terminal operators,
government agencies [e.g., the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)], concessionaires, service providers, and ground handlers. These organizations all have critical operational roles to play in promulgating policies and procedures, providing appropriate operational
support, and upholding specific standards that the airport may set during a
pandemic response.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mitigation of Transmission Tools<\/h2>

Administrative Controls<\/h3>

Airports should develop standard processes for prompt identification and isolation of sick individuals inside the airport facility. If an employee or tenant develops symptoms while at work, the employee\u2019s direct supervisor should instruct them to return home, recommend they get tested, and ask the symptomatic individual to follow up with their primary care provider. Employees, tenants, and customers should also practice hand washing, cleaning\u00a0and sanitizing surfaces, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate the transmission of the virus while in the workplace setting.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Face Masks<\/h3>\n

Airports and airlines encouraged people to properly wear a mask that covered both their nose and mouth. Most airports had the opportunity to obtain masks through federal funding to provide to airport employees and tenants, as well as passengers. One airport offered free masks at each entrance for individuals who needed them, as seen in Figure 1<\/b>.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Figure 1: Free mask handout station provided within an airport for those that needed one.<\/b><\/h3>

Wearing a mask or face covering is necessary in high-risk areas with limited spacing where social distancing cannot be maintained. One airport commission required face coverings for all individuals within shuttle buses, trams, ride-share vehicles, taxis, and other public vehicles as well as at all outdoor public locations where an individual could not maintain distancing of approximately 6 feet from others.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Disinfectants<\/h3>\n

Different cleaning products require different contact times for disinfection to be achieved. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) List N tool of COVID-19 disinfectants, many of these products required long contact times. As of September 2024, there are currently no EPA-registered anti-viral coating products that have long-lasting efficacy against communicable diseases. Therefore, airports and airlines cannot rely on such products to disinfect screens for their kiosks, increasing the expenses for resources and staff to routinely keep these clean. Some airports shared that their Communicable Disease Response Plans (CDRP) included disinfectants that are EPA-registered and considered hospital grade,\u00a0such as Diversey-Virex\u00ae II 256, Ecolab-Multi Surface Peroxide Cleaner\/Disinfectant, and Spartan-BNC-15, that were used to disinfect surfaces.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hand Sanitizers<\/h3>

Hand sanitizers were one of the most common tools used to maintain personal hygiene during communicable disease outbreaks. Multiple airports identified high-risk areas for contracting the virus and installed hundreds of hand sanitizer stations. Some high-risk areas identified were airline check-in and ticketing counters, TSA security screening checkpoints, bathroom entrances\/exits, and gate seating areas. Some airports offered their employees a COVID-19 care kit that included three face masks and a hand sanitization product. Other airports installed hand sanitizer stations that were tracked wirelessly to notify the cleaning facilities staff when they were empty. Incorporating this kind of mitigation policy into steady-state operations may simplify operations during future public health incidents.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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High-Touch Areas<\/h3>\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many practices were implemented in airport facilities to ensure high-touch areas were safe. Increasing the disinfection frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, restroom stall latches, chairs, and tables helps reduce the spread of communicable diseases. Performing risk matching by identifying areas of elevated risk and exposure was crucial for janitorial teams to ensure time and resources were being utilized effectively. Most airports interviewed had their janitorial staff and even their operations staff assigned to disinfect kiosks. Some airports kept their handrails for escalators and moving walkways clean by using handrail cleaning systems. These systems use pads that disinfect the belt as it moves. One airport implemented nightly disinfection of all gate seating and screening locations. Cleaning products were assigned to each station with different colored microfiber towels assigned to different areas (e.g., green for public areas and red for restrooms). Dirty towels were replaced every night so as employees came in, they could use the clean towels to wipe down their respective areas. Sanitization of the restrooms was repeated at 30- to 45-minute intervals.<\/p>\n

An airport commission contracted an outside cleaning firm that specializes in biohazard cleaning and disinfection for vehicles. This service was set up to ensure a rapid response for cleaning and disinfecting vehicles that may have been exposed to an employee who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibited COVID-19 symptoms. A list of the typical scope of work for dedicated disinfection teams can be seen in Figure 2<\/b>, obtained from the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Source: MAC COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
<\/b>Figure 2: Sample scope of work for disinfection teams within airports<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Microfiber Towels<\/h3>\n

The use of microfiber towels was helpful in preventing the spread of communicable diseases through contact with physical surfaces. Microfiber towels work well for removing organic matter and germs from surfaces. A study done with microfiber cloths investigated whether they are effective in reducing the level of microorganisms associated with healthcare infections and found they were an effective way to reduce the levels of E. coli<\/em>, methicillin-resistant S. aureus<\/em>, and the spore form of C. difficile<\/em> on a range of surfaces found in the clinical environment.2<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0As such, airports should consider utilizing microfiber cloths as part of their cleaning and disinfecting protocols.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Screening<\/h3>

Any health screening measures, including temperature checks, written or verbal forms, etc., should be backed by medical evidence and national standards and minimize the impact on airport operations. If conducted, pre-travel temperature screening of passengers should be done following the protocols of the relevant health authorities and should not create significant passenger flow delays or crowding, which could create additional exposure risks. The screening should include the passenger health attestation and may include visual observations conducted by trained staff. Temperature screening can be conducted upon arrival at the airport (airport entry), at the airline checking location, or before or after entering the \u201csterile\u201d gate areas. Any temperature screening of passengers arriving from international locations should not interfere with CBP standard operating procedures. All screening policies should be transparent and posted in advance online, and all passengers should be directly notified of screening policies before deciding whether they will attempt to fly. Industry screening protocols should also include a process to allow individuals with known reasons for having elevated temperatures other than a COVID-19 infection to fly with appropriate medical documentation.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Social Distancing<\/h3>\n

Airports undertook significant efforts to encourage and enable social distancing during COVID-19 operations. It was widely understood that implementing physical barriers such as transparent plastic shields in high-risk areas where employees have close interactions with multiple customers, such as TSA security checkpoints, can help mitigate the spread of the virus. Social distancing for employees and tenants, as well as customers, was managed through both messaging and physical reminders (such as markings on the ground) and barriers. Many airports restricted the number of people that could process through checkpoints at a given time to prevent crowding. Approaches to social distancing and the impacts it can have on airport facilities and policies, as well as on staff planning, should be considered in future communicable disease planning efforts.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Teleworking and In-Person<\/h3>

Ensuring non-essential airport employees have the capability to work from home helps promote social distancing and assists with mitigating the spread of the virus. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, one city\u2019s Department of Administration implemented a mandatory telework policy. All non-essential and essential employees were asked to stay home, and only mission-critical staff were to report to work on location until further notice. As employees were being brought back into the work location, plans were modified to have staggered schedules and airports limited the number of people allowed to be present in the same area, promoting social distancing. Incorporating regular telework for employees whose onsite presence is not critical can lead to fewer operational disruptions during public health incidents.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Testing\/Vaccination<\/h3>

Vaccination and frequent testing should be encouraged for all airport employees, tenants, and customers to mitigate the spread of communicable disease. Several airports participated in onsite testing and vaccination operations, described in the Staff Wellness section of the Airport Impacts page<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Thermal Screening<\/h3>\n

Thermal (temperature) screening was widely used by airports and airlines as a precautionary measure to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus initially. While temperature screening has limited reliability and accuracy, it may detect sick employees and passengers or serve as a general deterrent for passengers who may have otherwise considered traveling when ill. Airports and airlines had locations where employees would have their body temperature taken upon arrival at work and when entering the secured areas of the airport. Employees who had a fever or were experiencing symptoms would be sent home. An airport commission implemented a daily employee self-screening assessment in addition to thermal screening to help identify employees who could be infected with COVID-19. This self-screening assessment was not mandatory but highly encouraged and can be seen in Figure 3<\/b>, obtained from the MAC COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.3<\/sup><\/a> It is important to note that some individuals with chronic health issues may have an elevated body temperature. Any screening policies enacted should ensure that employees who may have chronic health issues will not be unfairly restricted from work.<\/p>\n

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Source: MAC COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
Figure 3: Personal self-screening questions<\/b><\/h3>

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Ultraviolet Radiation<\/h3>\n

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is being used by several airports to sanitize surfaces. According to a finding from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, UV-C light has been found to destroy the ability of the COVID-19 virus to infect a host.4<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Germicidal UV (GUV) uses UV radiation to kill or inactivate bacteria, mold, spores, fungi, and viruses by emitting short-wave UV (UV-C) that are emitted in the 200-280 nanometer (nm) range, which disinfect surfaces and aerosols. UV-C disinfection is proven to reduce bacterial and viral contamination in healthcare facilities and is used for surface and air disinfection.<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) was the first airport in the United States to test the use of a UV cleaning robot to deactivate viruses found on surfaces. The William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) used UV disinfection systems on handrails for escalators and moving walkways in addition to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing to demonstrate a significant difference between the handrails that implemented UV disinfection systems and ones that did not. ATP is an energy molecule found in all living organisms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. The presence of ATP on surfaces within an airport can be a sign of inadequate cleaning by indicating the presence of organic debris and bacteria.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Communication Tools<\/h2>

Airport Community Calls<\/h3>

Airports reported that they implemented daily or weekly morning calls between the airport leadership team and the airport\u2019s tenants and employees to share information about the operations, the health threat, and how the organization is addressing it. This helped ensure everyone knew what their roles and responsibilities were.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chain of Command<\/h3>

Airports reported that they created a chain of command and assigned a point of contact for all health and safety-related communication. In some cases, this was the Human Resources department or the Director of Health and Safety.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Executive Meetings<\/h3>

Airports reported that they implemented daily morning calls or virtual meetings between airport executives and primary airport stakeholders focused on the latest information about the pandemic, the implementation of changes, and the impact on operations.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Signage<\/h3>

One of the most common ways airports could inform the public of policies and recommendations was by using posters and signage. Multiple airports used signage with clear, concise, and easy-to-read information about COVID-19 policies and protocols. Signage often incorporated infographics and was posted at airport entrances and important checkpoints to remind passengers about policies such as masking requirements and social distancing. Signage was heavily used in bathrooms to promote enhanced hygiene among both staff and customers. One airport mentioned that posting signage every time an area was closed off for cleaning helped redirect passenger traffic and confirmed for travelers that the airport was performing regular and frequent cleaning in their facilities. Using speakers and televisions to make public announcements at the airport facility about safety policies and procedures was also found to be effective.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Social Media<\/h3>

Airports utilized their social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and local media partners to share information about precautions and impacts at the airport so passengers would be aware of what to expect while on airport premises. Social media was primarily used to notify passengers not to travel if they are feeling sick, have a fever or a cough, or if they have been exposed to other people that have tested positive. For example, one airport created a program to communicate new safety protocols and enhanced health procedures implemented at airports around the state. Distinct hashtags were used for passengers to quickly find information about airport priorities, guidelines, and safety. Airport executives created a special video pledge promoting the health and safety message that was available on the social media accounts and websites of each airport. To prepare for the eventual return of passengers one airport adopted a comprehensive airport recovery effort that was also branded with a distinct hashtag for increased passenger awareness. This hashtag was also used to tag mitigation activity throughout the airport to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stickers<\/h3>\n

Stickers or tape were sometimes used as a tool to remind people about social distancing recommendations and were often placed between the gating seats to deter people from sitting next to one another or on the floor at the high passenger volume areas (i.e., ticketing, security checkpoints) to define 6-foot distances.<\/p>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Team Meetings<\/h3>

Some airports reported that they consistently distributed information gathered from the airport executive meetings to each department through manager forums, situational reports, digital bulletin boards, authority-wide email blasts, virtual meetings, and\/or daily calls. This information included the prioritization for the week, transparent roles and responsibilities for each department, and clear and concise verbiage on policies and guidelines.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Websites<\/h3>

Airports primarily utilized their website to inform customers about how to protect themselves while traveling, as well as about COVID-19 policies and protocols at the airport. Many airports and airlines also provided guidelines and resources around protocols and mandates for different travel destinations. Up-to-date information about critical airport operations, including TSA, CBP, and airline policies, was communicated directly to the public on airport websites throughout the pandemic. Some airport websites also provided additional details, such as terminal TSA checkpoint closures, or concessionaires that had ceased operations. Regularly updating information on the airport\u2019s public-facing website is an effective way to communicate with customers before they\u00a0 arrive at the airport facility.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Operations Tools and Policies<\/h2>

Automated Screening Lanes<\/h3>

Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) are designed to improve the screening of passengers by automating many of the functions that were previously performed manually. The advanced screening systems allow passengers to move faster and more efficiently through the security checkpoints. Per the TSA, ASLs offer the following benefits:5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Stainless steel countertops that enable several passengers to place their items in bins simultaneously, reducing the need to stand in line; bins that are 25 percent larger than the bins in standard screening lanes that are large enough to hold larger carry-on bags; automated conveyor belts that draw bins into the X-ray machines, and returns the bins back to the front of the queue for passengers; carry-on bags that trigger an alarm warning of a potential threat are automatically redirected to a separate area to allow bins behind it to continue through the screening process uninterrupted; radio frequency identification tags that are attached to each bin to allow for additional accountability of a passenger\u2019s items as they transit throughout the security process; and cameras that capture photographic images of the contents of each bin, which are linked side-by-side to the X-ray image of a bag\u2019s contents. The use of these technologies can improve passenger experiences, cut down on wait times and long lines, and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Biometric Technology<\/h3>

Airports employ biometrics to verify passenger identities. Some airports are moving to \u201ctouchless travel\u201d models that rely on biometrics, such as iris recognition, to identify and process pre-screened passengers. Biometric Global Entry (https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/travel\/biometrics<\/a>) kiosks help limit facetime between CBP officers and members of the traveling public. Airports in the United States, along with the Department of Homeland Security and TSA, have been working together since 2019 to accelerate the deployment of CAT, as well as CAT with facial recognition cameras.6<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Multiple airports have implemented operational and policy changes that do not require boarding passes to be shown to TSA officials. Airports Council International \u2013 North America continues to work with stakeholders and regulators to encourage the implementation of biometric and contactless technology. These technologies are important to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and create more efficient passenger processing systems. Using biometric technology can promote confidence in air travel, ensure consistency, and streamline the recovery of air travel.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contactless Technology<\/h3>

Contactless technology has been implemented at most airports, whether in bathrooms, at concessionaires, at gates, at checkpoints, or in check-in zones. Implementing touchless technology, such as face scanners or motion-sensing devices, helped reduce unnecessary contact and exposure at airports. For example, one airport implemented \u201csmart restrooms\u201d during the COVID-19 pandemic equipped with soap and hand towel dispensers that were touch-free, as well as an iPad with satisfactory and unsatisfactory hand gestures captured through camera recognition for customer satisfaction data collection.<\/p>

Trusted Traveler Programs (https:\/\/ttp.dhs.gov\/<\/a>) that expedite screening at security checkpoints and international border processing are increasingly reliant on touchless technology as well. Mobile Passport Control (https:\/\/www.cbp.gov\/travel\/us-citizens\/mobile-passport-control<\/a>) and other contactless methods of providing identity documents for enhanced security and efficiency are becoming more common. Airports that have existing common-use self-service kiosks can also potentially move to contactless technology that could minimize or eliminate the need to physically touch the kiosk, helping minimize the spread of infectious diseases. Such conversion will also minimize the kiosk cleaning\/sanitization requirements for airports.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Electrostatic Cleaning<\/h3>

Electrostatic cleaning is a process that involves spraying electrostatically charged mist onto contaminated surfaces to disinfect them. The spray solution contains positively charged particles that adhere efficiently to diverse types of surfaces, allowing the cleaning agent contained within the mist to disinfect more effectively. This is different from ionic air purifiers which release only negatively charged particles. The air-cleaning process for electrostatic air purifiers occurs inside the device, while for air ionizers, it occurs outside of the device. One airport mentioned using electrostatic cleaning machines for nightly disinfection.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fogging<\/h3>\n

Fogging is a common cleaning method where a disinfectant aerosol is applied on surfaces to eliminate bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Fogging is most beneficial for deep cleaning within high-risk environments, helping to disinfect hard-to-reach areas. Multiple airports mentioned spending on autonomous foggers to help with the efficiency of disinfecting.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Technology<\/h3>

The COVID-19 pandemic served to accelerate the implementation of emerging technologies such as contactless technology, UV radiation for disinfection, smart vacuum robots, filtering, ionization air technology, electrostatic cleaning, and fogging machines. Disinfecting technology plays a significant role in airport cleanliness operations, it not only helps airports save time and resources but also builds customers\u2019 confidence in the airports’ efforts and priorities.<\/p>

An assessment by the Faculty and Scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that many airports are planning to employ new technologies supporting remote queuing and virtual reservation technology to reduce congestion in airports and achieve appropriate physical distancing.7<\/sup><\/a> Many airports are also putting additional effort into upgrading restrooms by disconnecting hand dryers and installing contactless fixtures with upper air disinfection using UV, or even reintroducing restroom attendants. Several airports are piloting the use of digital assistants for TSA and CBP, and some airlines focused on solutions to simplify check-in procedures, security checkpoints, and boarding and arrival procedures. TSA is currently piloting Enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology and CAT.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Security Considerations<\/h2>\n

Air Bridges<\/h3>\n

Different countries and regions enforced varying levels of restrictions on incoming travelers, particularly for non-essential travel, as host governments attempted to restrict additional sources of infection. An increasing number of countries and regions are working together to bridge the once-necessary divide by developing networks of \u201cair bridges\u201d and \u201ctravel bubbles\u201d to allow cross-border travel in places where the virus was not surging. \u201cAir bridges,\u201d \u201cair corridors,\u201d \u201ctravel bubbles,\u201d or \u201ctravel corridors\u201d are reciprocal agreements between any number of countries that allow for non-essential travel, without requiring a self-isolated quarantining period upon arrival and return.8<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Some airlines and airports believe that establishing an air bridge (also known as a testing corridor) will help reduce the need for quarantine and testing protocols, helping passenger travel recover to normal levels. Different countries continue to maintain different testing and screening requirements for entry. International airports should consider incorporating international testing and screening requirements into CDRPs.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Screening Policies<\/h3>\n

Multiple airports implemented different screening protocols for their employees and their passengers to reduce the spread of the virus. Airports and airlines recommend that screening should be done following the protocols of relevant health authorities and should not create significant flow delays or crowding, which can introduce additional exposure risks. Screenings should include passenger or employee health attestations and may also include visual observations conducted by trained staff.<\/p>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Training and Exercises<\/h2>

Janitorial and Disinfection Training<\/h3>

Updating airport training procedures for the janitorial staff to account for the new frequency and proper use of cleaning products and cleaning technology was necessary. Effective disinfection requires that staff know a product\u2019s appropriate wet time or contact time. Different cleaning products require different contact times, and this information had to be communicated in updated trainings. This is most important in high-volume areas of the airport such as ticketing, security checkpoints, bathrooms, gates, and restaurants. Not only should the janitorial staff be trained on their products, but also on how to effectively use cleaning technology such as electrostatic sprayers and foggers. One airport trained its janitorial and housekeeping team in the following areas: Biological contamination cleanup, bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety and use, EPA-registered disinfectant usage, equipment training, food spread mitigation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and response. Comprehensive equipment training included all relevant topics, from disinfection and mitigation to clean-up and area restoration.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Personal Protective Equipment and Testing<\/h3>

Training employees to utilize PPE properly was important during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the spread of the virus and keep the employees safe. All PPE should be maintained in a clean and secure location. Training included explanations of what kind of PPE was necessary for different situations, as well as how to properly don, doff, and adjust PPE. Training should also address the limitations of the equipment, proper care, maintenance, useful life, as well as disposal procedures. Some airport staff volunteered to assist with testing operations, and were trained on the proper use of PPE, how to perform oxygen testing using an oximeter, and how to test for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test. Mandatory COVID-19 training webinars were also used by some airports to inform employees of how to keep themselves safe.<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Telework<\/h3>

Working from home presented a training challenge for many airports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airport operations are not designed to have most of their workers remote. Therefore, staff had to be trained on the new remote work processes. Most airport and airline interviewees focused their training on new software to access systems from home through a virtual private network (VPN).<\/p><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Training and Testing<\/h3>\n

As emphasized in the 2019 TRB Conference Proceedings 55: Airport Roles in Reducing Transmission of Communicable Diseases<\/em>,9<\/sup><\/a> airports must ensure that a CDRP undergoes routine drills and testing. Most airport officials interviewed, if not all, had a drill in place for natural disasters, aircraft crash incidents, or anthropogenic events such as firearms or bomb threats. However, none had training provided on communicable disease threats. Providing drills and training on what to do when there is a communicable disease threat, such as COVID-19, will ensure that airport employees and tenants can respond quickly and know how they can protect themselves and others during public health incidents. Multiple interviewees agreed that all CDRPs should align with CDC guidelines and airports should regularly conduct tabletop exercises with public health representatives to stay proactive and prepared to respond.<\/p>\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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[1] Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission. (2021). Travel Confidently Playbook.<\/em>
https:\/\/www.mspairport.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-01\/TravelConfidentlyMSP%20PLAYBOOKv3.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p>

[2] Smith, D. L., Gillanders, S., Holah, J. T., & Gush, C. (2011). Assessing the efficacy of different microfibre
cloths at removing surface micro-organisms associated with healthcare-associated infections. Journal of<\/em>
Hospital Infection<\/em>, 78(3), 182\u2013186. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jhin.2011.02.015<\/a><\/p>

[3] Minneapolis and Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission. (2021). Travel Confidently Playbook.<\/em>
https:\/\/www.mspairport.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-01\/TravelConfidentlyMSP%20PLAYBOOKv3.pdf<\/a><\/p>

[4] National Academies. (April 22, 2020). Does ultraviolet (UV) light kill the coronavirus? https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/based-on-science\/covid-19-does-ultraviolet-light-kill-the-coronavirus<\/a><\/p>

[5] Transportation Security Administration. (2018). Automated Screening Lanes Come to SFO\u2019s Terminal 3. https:\/\/www.tsa.gov\/travel\/security-screening\/emerging-technology<\/a><\/p>

[6] Faculty and Scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022). Assessment of Risks of SARS-COV-2 Transmission and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Risk<\/i>. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from\u00a0https:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2644\/2022\/09\/Harvard-APHI-Phase-Two-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>

[7]\u00a0\u00a0Faculty and Scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022).\u00a0<\/span>Assessment of Risks of SARS-COV-2 Transmission and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Risk<\/i>. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2644\/2022\/09\/Harvard-APHI-Phase-Two-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>

[8] Fernandes-Owen, L. and Ferr\u00e9, M. E. (2020). Air Bridges and Travel Corridors: Regional Travel Agreements in the Face of Covid-19. Mayer Brown. Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https:\/\/www.mayerbrown.com\/en\/perspectives-events\/blogs\/2020\/07\/air-bridges-and-travel-corridors-regional-travel-agreements-in-the-face-of-covid19<\/a><\/p>

[9] Wilhelmi, J. (2019). Conference Proceedings 55: Airport Roles in Reducing Transmission of Communicable Diseases. Summary of a Workshop of the Airport Cooperative Research Program\u2019s 2018 Insight Event. <\/i>Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.17226\/25367<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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