New Zealand’s Auckland Airport has introduced temporary passport checks at the doors of its international terminal, to help manage social distancing in public spaces.
Only travelers with a valid passport can access the international terminal. Two hours’ free car parking has been made available, to make it easier for those who need to pick up or drop off friends and family.
According to general manager, operations, Anna Cassels-Brown, the temporary passport checks are part of ongoing efforts by government agencies and the airport to help ensure social distances are maintained in high-traffic areas of the terminal.
“These are extremely challenging times and we are focused on continuing our airport operations so people can return home as well as offering our full support to border agencies and the Ministry of Health [MOH] in protecting New Zealand against the spread of COVID-19,” Cassels-Brown said.
“The terminal has been extremely busy over the last couple of days and as much as possible we need to make Auckland Airport a safe place for people to travel through, which is why we are doing everything we can to support social distancing between travelers.”
Passport checks will be carried out by security staff.
Airport staff are following MOH guidelines within the terminal and are reminding travelers, through a range of measures including PA announcements every eight minutes, to maintain a physical distance as they wait in arrival and departure areas.