Covid-19: Guidelines Passengers Should Follow at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport (AIA) has released safety guidelines for passengers travelling through its premises, to prevent the Covid-19 spread.

The guidelines for the protection of passengers and employees at Athens International Airport are in line with those set by national health authorities and include: the meticulous observance of rules for hand washing / sanitizing and for respiratory hygiene, the use of face masks, maintaining physical distances, thorough cleaning and sanitizing of spaces and surfaces, especially “high-frequency touch points”.

Those travelling through Athens airport, should keep in mind the following:

• The use of face masks is obligatory after entering the airport terminal; passengers need to keep it on throughout their stay in the airport areas (Joint Ministerial Decision of May17th, Gov. Gazette Bulletin 1869/Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ.30612). Passengers should be aware that they may be asked to temporarily remove their mask during security and identity check processes.
• The use of face masks is also obligatory during boarding, as well as during the flight.
• Airport employees are equipped with all personal protection items (masks, gloves, sanitizing liquids), which they are using at all times during their work.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in over 300 spots at the airport, including bathrooms and restrooms; passengers should feel free to use them during the departure and arrival processes.
• Polycarbonic panels are used for additional protection during the provision of services conducted in direct contact with employees (ticket desks, information counters, etc.).
• Keeping distances is mainly a behavioural measure for passengers and airport staff, and a distance of 1.5 metres should be kept during all phases of the travelling processes on ground. Special signage on floor surfaces, announcements at airport screens and banners are there to help passengers keep the necessary distances.
• Facilities, machinery, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces in the airport areas, are cleaned and sanitized regularly with special materials.
• Airport, airlines and ground handlers’ staff are available to provide passengers with information about the hygiene measures and the relevant procedures applied in the airport, as well as on board, and supervise the implementation of the necessary measures (physical distancing and face masks).
• Information and guidelines regarding hygiene measures are communicated through a constant flow of public announcements (PAs are regularly made through the airport’s public announcement system), as well as through visual content on the airport screens and the relevant signage in all areas.
• It is important to select e-services options prior to departure to the airport (web check-in), as well as within the airport areas (web check-in, self check-in, baggage tag printing, drop off baggage, e-parking).
• Seating in all waiting areas has been re-arranged, in order to allow for minimum distances to be kept. It is recommended that one seat is left vacant next to each seated passenger. Families or couples travelling together, do not have to keep this distance.
• The air-conditioning system in the airport facilities provides fresh, renewed, and top-down recycled air, in order to limit horizontal air circulation. Furthermore, the air is filtered for dust, viruses and bacteria or fungi, through special filters.
• For the protection of passengers with reduced mobility, all the above measures are meticulously applied, while, in addition, rules for priority boarding, avoiding lengthy stay in closed areas including the airport’s PRM facility, are implemented. PRM wheelchairs and Ambulifts are cleaned and disinfected regularly, before and after their use, in order to secure the maximum possible protection of passengers against Covid-19.

All measures are subject to continuous evaluation as to their effectiveness and will be modified as deemed necessary and instructed by state authorities.

International incoming passengers, in particular, are requested by state authorities to fill in a special personal data form –  state authorities may decide to proceed with biological sample collection for coronavirus tests.

To date, incoming international passengers are subject to a 14-day isolation / quarantine. Relevant information is provided to passengers by airlines.