Newcastle International Airport – COVID-19 Ten Point Plan
Date published:
Since flights returned to Newcastle International Airport at the beginning of June, the team have kept the health of passengers and staff as their highest priority. At the centre of this is their COVID-19 Ten Point Plan.
The world is currently contending with the most significant public health crisis in living memory. The safety and welfare of our staff and passengers is our highest priority and with this in mind we have worked hard to implement a range of robust measures to ensure the terminal is a safe environment for all.
If you are travelling through the Airport soon, you will notice additional guidance and procedures in the terminal which are there to ensure your safety and allow you to continue with your journey – these include social distancing, promoting good hand hygiene, increased cleaning and the use of PPE for passengers and staff.
The Airport’s flying schedule has been impacted significantly by the current crisis. For the latest flight information click here.
This is our Ten Point Plan to ensure the safety of our staff and passengers (accurate as of 5th August 2020, please check the Airport’s website for the latest guidance):
1) Anyone displaying COVID-19 symptoms or who has a member of their household self-isolating should not come to the Airport
Passengers are reminded not to travel to the Airport should they or anyone in their household be displaying any symptoms of Coronavirus.
2) Only car parks without human touch points are in operation
If you are travelling to the Airport, we would encourage all customers to travel by private vehicle, wherever possible.
If you wish to park at the Airport, to obtain the best price please book in advance here.
As we aim to limit the number of touch points for passengers, only our self-parking car parks are currently available – Short Stay 1, Short Stay 2, Premium Fast Track and the Express drop off.
There are some spaces available in our Long Stay car park however the Long Stay terminal buses are not currently in operation.
Anyone who is wishing drop off or collect passengers should park in the Express or Short Stay 1 car park and remain in their vehicle.
3) Hand sanitiser provided throughout the passenger journey
Hand sanitiser stations are provided throughout the terminal for passengers to use at key points in their journey, including on entering the terminal, security search area and the departure lounge as well as the border and baggage halls.
4) Face masks must be worn throughout the terminal building
All passengers must wear a face mask within the terminal building. If a passenger does not have a face mask there will be masks available in the terminal.
As per the Government guidance, children under the age of 11 or those with a good reason not do not need to wear a face mask (eg: Medical illnesses or providing assistance to a passenger who relies on lip reading).
More information can be found here.
5) Limited access to the terminal
Only passengers travelling are permitted to enter the terminal. Anyone wishing drop off or collect passengers should park in either the Express or Short Stay 1 car park and remain in their vehicle.
Customers who are not flying are able to temporarily access the terminal to use the toilets or a catering outlet however must not wait in the building for any period of time.
6) Intensive cleaning and hygiene regime throughout the building
Enhanced cleaning regimes are in place throughout the terminal with increased disinfecting of regular touch points such as hand rails and buttons.
Passengers are reminded of the importance of regular hand hygiene, hand sanitiser is available throughout the terminal for passengers to use. Ambassadors will be available in the terminal to provide guidance to passengers on the measures that are in place.
7) Social distancing enforced where possible
Passengers are required to maintain social distancing from other passengers not in their household grouping.
Passengers and staff are required to wear face masks at all times within the terminal. Face masks reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission where social distancing is not possible within the terminal environment.
8) A limited number of shops and restaurants in operation
A limited number of shops and catering outlets are open within the terminal, for the latest information on which outlets are open click here.
More outlets will gradually re-open throughout the coming weeks, with each having implemented a range of social distancing initiatives.
9) COVID-19 prevention training for all staff
All staff will complete a COVID-19 prevention and general awareness briefing.
Staff will also complete ‘COVID Secure’ training supported by departmental and activity specific training covering measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in their role.
10) Specific measures to ensure the safety of all staff
Social distancing measures will be implemented throughout the site to allow 2m distancing wherever possible, this is to protect passengers as well as staff.
Provision of additional PPE will be provided to protect staff where required and COVID-19 tests are being provided to staff or a member of their household who is showing symptoms.