Brazilian airports are internationally recognized for sanitary measures

Guarulhos Airport received international recognition for the adoption of preventive measures against Covid-19. Credit: GRU

The airports of Galeão, in Rio de Janeiro, and Guarulhos, in São Paulo, have been internationally recognized for adopting a series of measures to protect the health of travelers during the resumption of flights. The first received, at the beginning of the month, the seal of the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) that has the seal of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The second was certified by Airport Health Accreditation, an entity that evaluates the protocols implemented to promote the safety of passengers, regular customers and employees.

For the Minister of Tourism, Marcelo Álvaro Antônio, the recognition only confirms that Brazil is ready for the resumption of travel and tourism. “It is protocols like these and those of the Ministry of Tourism that provide security for passengers to return to travel. These initiatives show that all tourist segments are committed to protecting the health of Brazilians and those who visit us, ”he said.

Among the measures adopted by the airport terminals are: actions to guarantee social distance, use of personal protective equipment by passengers and the airport community, availability of alcohol gel dispensers, temperature measurement technology and map of terminal heat and presentation of measures taken by the service, retail and food sectors. In addition, Guarulhos International Airport is the first in the country to have a laboratory to test Covid-19. Some countries, such as Portugal and France, require passengers to present this type of proof to allow entry to their territories.

In May, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) implemented measures for airlines and airports. In addition to the permanent use of masks by passengers and employees, the distance of two meters between people and the cleaning of terminals and aircraft, the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) by workers is indicated, depending on the situation; the promotion of communication campaigns and the dissemination of sound warnings, among other actions.

In addition to the Galeão and Guarulhos airports, the Brasilia and Confins (MG) terminals have also adopted measures to guarantee the safety of passengers. The locations have gel alcohol dispensers, protective barriers in user service areas, and informational stickers for floors, seats, restrooms, and elevators. At the airport in the federal capital, the use of technology has drawn attention, which verifies the temperature and verifies the use of a mask by those who enter through the boarding gates.