The Changi Airport — 16th busiest airport in the world and one of Asia’s largest — has taken some recent steps to address public concerns about the coronavirus. Some are calling it an epidemic.
Some background on the coronavirus:
Specifically named “SARS-CoV-2”, this virus has been detected in 32 locations throughout the world. It was first seen in Wuhan City, China. The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organizations (whew, that’s a mouthful) officially declared it an outbreak and a public emergency as of January 20, 2020. (Source: CDC.gov)
Originally experts are estimating this outbreak traces back to the seafood and live animal market, suggesting it was first spread through animal-to-person contact. With the high degree of international travel common these days, many of those who have become infected are not sure where they initially came in contact with the virus.
Symptoms: Resulting illness has ranged from mild fever, cough, or shortness of breath to severe cases that led to death.
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Some of the changes the Changi Airport has made:
- Installing far more hand sanitizer stations in high traffic areas, such as check-in rows, immigration desks, food vendors, and retail outlets (a change of 160 to more than 1200)
- Switching from general cleaning solutions to specific disinfectants for all surfaces
- Application of quaternary ammonium chloride to high-touch areas like check-in touchscreens can last for several months and reduce the spreading of pathogens
- Doubled the frequency of cleaning high traffic surface areas, such as floors, railings, counter tops, and door handles.
Managing director of the airport Jayson Goh said the following regarding these measures:
“Changi is an important aviation hub and it is therefore imperative that we keep it operating safely for our airport community, our staff, for passengers, as well as visitors to the airport.” (Source)