London Heathrow Airport to Trial Covid-19 Detection Technologies

London Heathrow is set to initiate Covid-19 detection trials as it increases the efforts to battle the spread of the disease, said a report.

As indicated by the airport, the aim is to drive forward the development of a Common International Standard by trialling technologies and procedures that reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission while travelling.

Concepts are under review as a major aspect of the Heathrow trials include UV sanitation, which could be used to quickly and efficiently sanitise security trays; facial recognition thermal screening technology to accurately track body temperature; and contact-free security screening equipment to reduce individual-to-individual contact.

The first of these trials will be a temperature screening technology that uses camera detection systems capable of monitoring the temperatures of people moving through the airport. These passenger-facing trials will initially be conducted in the airport’s immigration halls. If successful, the equipment will then be rolled out to departures, connections, and colleague search areas. The trials will start in the next two weeks in Terminal 2.

London Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye stated: “Aviation is the cornerstone of the UK economy, and to restart the economy, the government needs to help restart aviation."

“The UK has the world’s third-largest aviation sector offering the platform for the government to take a lead in agreeing a Common International Standard for aviation health with our main trading partners. This standard is key to minimising transmission of Covid-19 across borders, and the technology we are trialling at Heathrow could be part of the solution.”

Source: www.ttnworldwide.com