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Hong Kong International Airport has received an excellent report card for its ant-SARS measures.
The Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, today (July 9) received an evaluation report by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which states that the airport fully complied with the recommended anti-SARS measures developed under the auspices of ICAO.
The report was produced following a three-day inspection to assess the implementation of anti-SARS measures at the airport by two representatives of the ICAO led by aviation medical expert Dr Silvio Finkelstein, a senior medical officer from Argentina. The pair visited Hong Kong between July 6 and 9 upon the invitation by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department.
The visit was conducted as part of the ICAO Anti-SARS Airport Evaluation Project. A set of recommended measures developed by ICAO together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association was used to evaluate the performance of international airports in preventing the spread of SARS. These measures include the adoption of specific procedures for screening passengers and airport workers, availability of information about SARS to all passengers, and handling suspected cases on board and at destination. The project aims to prevent the spread of SARS through air travel to and from participating international airports.
"I am delighted to present Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department with a very good evaluation report stating that HKIA fully complies with ICAO's recommended anti-SARS measures," Dr Finkelstein said. He said the airport had been assessed for compliance with anti-SARS measures through legislation and reviews, as well as on-site inspection of the measures taken and the procedures adopted.
Mr Lo said he was encouraged by the positive comments of the ICAO. "I am pleased to learn that the ICAO experts find the health screening procedures and anti-SARS measures implemented at the airport appropriate, and that they are implemented efficiently and consistently. Safety, security and efficiency are all our priorities when it comes to international air travel. I pledge that the Civil Aviation Department, with the support of Airport Authority Hong Kong and Port Health Office will continue to ensure the stringent standards in these areas are maintained," he added.
At present, temperature checking of all passengers, whether departing, arriving or transiting Hong Kong is mandatory. An Infrared Fever Screening System is available at the Departure Hall, Arrival Hall and Transfer Points for temperature screening. Passengers are also required to submit health declaration forms. All airport staff also have their temperature taken before reporting for duty.
The other ICAO expert is Ms Diane Cote, an expert in passenger ground-handling operations. Hong Kong is among the first batch of cities to participate in the ICAO Anti-SARS Airport Evaluation Project. During their stay in Hong Kong, the experts met representatives of the Civil Aviation Department, Department of Health and the Airport Authority.
They will leave Hong Kong tomorrow (July 10) to continue with their inspection visits at the international airports in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
End/Wednesday, July 9, 2003
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