Departing Passengers Must Wear Face Masks at HKIA from May 18

(HONG KONG, 13 May 2020)  –  Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) is implementing a new measure of compulsory wearing face mask to further enhance health protection at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) amid COVID-19 pandemic. All departing passengers will be mandated to wear face masks in the restricted area of the departure levels of HKIA from 18 May 2020 until further notice.

The compulsory requirement is also applicable when departing passengers are on Automated People Mover (APM), Apron Passengers Vehicles or SkyPier Sea-to-Air levels. Passengers are advised to bring their face masks. Arriving passengers are also recommended to wear face masks upon their arrival at HKIA.

Airport staff members are required to wear face masks in all passenger accessible areas in the restricted areas of both the departure and arrival levels of the terminal buildings, SkyPier, APM and Apron Passengers Vehicles.

Meanwhile, body temperature screening has already been implemented at the entrances of the terminal buildings and restricted areas, as well as the arrivals levels. Passengers are advised to keep at least 1.5 metres from each other when they are in queues at HKIA. Signs are in place to remind passengers of the safe distance advice.  

Vivian Cheung, Executive Director, Airport Operations of the AA said, “The AA has been sparing no efforts in implementing different measures in HKIA to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for all airport users. We are working hand-in-hand with our business partners to look at the entire passenger journey and explore possible enhancement measures, with a view to strengthening passengers’ confidence.”

Cleaning and disinfection efforts in HKIA’s terminal buildings and passenger facilities have been stepped up since the outbreak of COVID-19. Frequently touched surfaces are applied with antimicrobial coating and are cleaned every hour. Autonomous cleaning robots have been deployed to enhance cleaning and disinfection efficiency. Provision of alcohol hand sanitizers have been doubled and extended to all major passageways and high traffic areas inside the terminal buildings.