An airline doctor who travelled through Manchester Airport last month has called for the Government to enforce mask-wearing, ventilation and social distancing to curb the spread of Covid.
Dr Hans-Eric Usher took these pictures at a boarding gate in November, before the rise of Omicron in this country and at a time when social distancing rules and testing requirements for passengers had been relaxed.
However, he said he noticed a marked difference between the protocol at UK airports and those of other European cities in terms of mask-wearing enforcement and social distancing.
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Covid measures at Manchester Airport include mandatory face masks, perspex screens, enhanced cleaning and more than 100 hand sanitising stations, as well as either proof of double vaccination or a negative covid test before coming to the airport.
From December 7, all international arrivals must have proof of a negative Covid test and the hub has been recognised as ‘Covid-19 secure’ by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The airport also relies on third parties like agencies and airlines to help enforce the rules in areas including boarding gates.
Currently, social distancing measures only apply 'between disembarkation and border control'.
However, Dr Usher, a doctor of 33 years who has worked for Emirates and Lufthansa, was left disappointed by his experience in November, and believes the Government must be stricter on the basic principles of social distancing, ventilation and mask enforcement to avoid future waves.
He said: “The problem as I saw it was the lack of measures involving Covid protection, other than masks.
“There was no social distancing at any point, no obvious attempts to ventilate and I’m afraid the gate was a complete disaster.
“We were herded into a small area with no ventilation, no possibility of distancing, and no enforcement of the requirement to wear masks. The gate staff had their masks off their noses.”
Dr Usher, who was pinged by the Covid ‘Warn’ app following the flight, said that an employee on the shuttle bus to the plane was ‘wearing her mask around her chin’, adding: “There was an almighty rush to the bus with people charging through the door."
He added: "The UK Government always attempts to close the barn door after the horse has bolted.
“I wrote to Manchester Airport Twitter account. Their response was that they do everything possible when they are able to.”
He added: “It’s sad really because if you do follow the mask, distance, ventilation guidelines you really do reduce transmission. There are plenty of studies that show this.”
Dr Usher said his Tweet to Manchester Airport to complain was mocked by some people, who questioned his complaints about social distancing ahead of a crowded flight, but he added: “What most people don’t seem to understand is that it’s in the terminal when the risks are highest, not on the aircraft.
“The aircraft forces new 90pc HEPA filtered air and the 10pc that is being recycled is being sucked out pretty quickly from the cabin.
“It appears to me as a doctor with aeromedical experience at several airlines that the British Government is not really taking the threat of Covid seriously at all.
“They really should try to impress on people the absolute need for the simple measures at all times, as these have been proven to work.”
A Home Office spokesperson referred the Manchester Evening News to Manchester Airport, citing 'their responsibility to ensure social distancing measures are put into place'.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said all guidance on airports comes from the Government and their medical advisers and that testing and vaccinations had reduced transmission at airports.
As background he said boarding gates were managed by airlines and handling agent staff.
He added: “We recognise the need for swift action in response to the Omicron variant and are following all government guidance to keep our colleagues and customers safe.
“The UK Government requires everyone to wear a face covering inside our terminals unless they are exempt.
“The police has powers of enforcement in relation to this requirement, including the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices, and we will be supporting officers working across our site.
“Government guidance, which is informed by its medical advisers, is clear that social distancing won’t always be possible in an airport environment, but we ask customers to keep their distance whenever possible.
“The range of measures we have in place, including additional cleaning regimes and asking those not travelling to remain outside the terminal, reflect this situation.
“We are also committed to providing adequate ventilation in our buildings and carry out regular assessments to ensure they comply with Health and Safety Executive guidelines.”
