Passengers and staff at Manchester Airport will have to wear gloves and cover their faces starting this week.
There will also be temperature scanners at the hub as part of a 'trial' to screen those who could have contracted COVID-19.
Passengers could also be asked to make a 'health declaration' to confirm they are asymptomatic before entering the terminal - or even provide the results of a COVID-19 test.
The measures, says Charlie Cornish, Group CEO of Manchester Airports Group, have been drawn up following consultation with medical experts and in the absence of official guidance from the government.
It comes amid calls from across the industry for Whitehall to set a framework for minimum standards for all UK airports to adhere to.
The government has said temperature testing is not reliable, although it is used in parts of Africa and the Middle East where there have been far fewer deaths.
With airport leaders now understood to be frustrated with the waiting, they have taken the steps ahead of further international guidelines they expect to be introduced in the coming weeks.
Airport bosses say the full details are still being hammered out, but the changes, to be launched this week, mean:
- All airport staff will wear gloves and face masks
- All passengers will be required to wear gloves and face coverings. Travellers are expected to bring their own and they can include scarves or other makeshift measures. The airport will provide protective equipment for those without. As passenger numbers rise they will be expected to provide their own.
- Trialling some technologies such as temperature measurement
The new measures would build on the existing signage, leaflets, annoucemenets and hand sanitisers already in place, they said.
The airport has also implemented a 'more intensive and visible' cleaning regime.
Bosses say they will be further strengthening these elements too.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "Manchester Airport can confirm it will be piloting various new safety measures that are being put in place across MAG later this week.
"They are designed to help the small number of passengers currently making essential journeys through Manchester Airport feel safer and more confident about flying at this time.
"We will be providing confirmation of exact guidance for passengers, to allow them to fully prepare for their journey, before the measures are put in place."
Charlie Cornish, Group CEO of MAG said: "Government has been slow to work with the UK aviation industry on what flying will look like in the new world.
"It is vital that we work together to establish a clear and workable set of proposals, so that we are in position to lead discussions with other countries.
"It’s clear that social distancing does not work on any form of public transport. But we’re confident that when the time is right, people will be able to travel safely.
"UK airports have put a package of measures on the table for discussion with Government. We now need the Government to work urgently with airports and airlines to agree how we operate in the future. This has to be a top priority so that people can be confident about flying, and to get tourism and travel going again.
"At MAG we’ve taken expert medical advice on how people can travel safely. From next week, we’ll be piloting new measures at MAG airports for those passengers who still need to travel."
The move comes as passenger numbers at Manchester Airport plummet from 80,000 a day to around 500.
Operating hours have been cut and just one runway and one terminal are in use.
Flights still running include those to repatriate citizens and for 'essential' travellers like oil rig workers travelling to Aberdeen.
More than 75 per cent of staff have been furloughed, with a 10pc pay cut in place for the entire workforce until next March.
The Manchester Evening News has contacted the Department for Transport for comment.
