Bahrain Airport implements new measures to protect staff and passengers

In line with the Advisory Circular released by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (BCAA) – the Kingdom’s aviation regulator – Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has announced that it is rolling out additional health and safety measures at Bahrain International Airport (BAH) to protect the wellbeing of passengers and staff at the terminal.

The BCAA guidelines are in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) latest guidelines for combating COVID-19 and support the preventative measures recommended by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The measures will be regularly updated based on new scientific findings as the situation evolves.

Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Airport Company, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, said: “Since the start of the pandemic, BAC has implemented a number of precautionary measures recommended by the Ministry of Health 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 Kingdom.”

He continued: “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 Kingdom’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.”

In line with the new health and safety measures, access to the terminal has been restricted to airport staff and passengers, although exceptions will be made for those accompanying passengers with reduced mobility or unaccompanied minors.

Wearing face masks is now mandatory for all passengers and airport staff, which can be obtained from personal protective equipment (PPE) vending machine that also offer hand sanitiser 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 during the pandemic. Temperature screening is also mandatory at all entry points to the terminal and before boarding.

Passengers must adhere to social distancing measures at the terminal and offices, and footprint stickers and seat blockers have been put in place to remind them to keep their distance. In addition to general cleaning and an approved disinfection programme, all frequently touched surfaces and plastic security trays are being sanitised.