Canberra Airport has increased its protection against coronavirus, including thermal cameras to detect people with fevers.
The aim is to screen out people who display symptoms which may be those of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
The cameras above the security X-ray belt will film every passenger and person going through to the departure lounge. If they seem to have a temperature, they will be directed to a nearby nurse who will take another, more reliable temperature using an ear thermometer.
If the person has symptoms of fever like a temperature above 37.8 degrees, he or she will be told and the airline notified.
The airport will not ban them from flying. That will be for the person and the carrying airline to decide.
The test is not a cast-iron guarantee that someone does or does not have COVID-19. Its possible to have it without symptoms and still be able to pass it on.
But the aim is to provide another layer of security and also to reassure passengers who may be thinking of returning to flight after the financially catastrophic drop in air travel across the country and beyond.
As well as the cameras, the airport has installed hand sanitisers across the concourse.
The airport's head of aviation, Michael Thomson, said: "We want our passengers to fly with confidence, knowing we are doing everything we can to ensure their safety and this new temperature screening system is another step in achieving this."
"Canberra Airport remains open for essential travel, and our passenger's experience remains our top priority."
Mr Thomson said the images taken on the camera would be stored for a limited period and then destroyed. They would not be linked to any other personal information.
The camera system was endorsed by the President of the Australian Medical Association in the ACT, Dr Antonio Di Dio, who called it "responsible and prudent".
He hoped other airports would follow suit. He also hoped more people would download the federal government's tracing app.
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The international Qatar Airways flight has stopped leaving Canberra and the domestic service is pared down.
After the airport closed for two days in the middle of April, the terminal reopened with limited flights to Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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