September 8, 2020
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) our first priority is always the health and safety of our passengers and the hard-working team at the airport. Even more so in 2020, so we rely on science-based decision making and time-tested best practices to guide FlyHealthy@SEA. This health and safety program employs the most effective and methods proven to stop the spread of COVID-19.
For example, studies show that universal face covering helped prevent transmission, and that properly applied disinfectant also prevents the spread of the virus. That’s why we require facial coverings at SEA Airport and handed out nearly 8,000 free masks to passengers.
It’s also why we prioritized enhanced sanitization, new disinfecting technology, touchless technologies, frequent hand washing, and use of hand sanitizer among airport employees and travelers.
Today we announced six clean tech strategies you will see at our airport, including autonomous floor cleaning machines, electrostatic sprayers, and cleaning systems that disinfect escalator hand railings.
Testing temperature screenings
Temperature screenings to guard against possible COVID-19 symptoms is something we continue to consider at SEA.
The Port of Seattle Commission directed airport staff to explore temperature screenings in May 2020. This July, we tested equipment and ran a proof of concept with Alaska Airlines to evaluate whether temperature checks could help stop the spread of COVID-19 at SEA.
Close to 10,000 passengers were screened for elevated temperatures above 100.4 degrees during the proof of concept and we detected zero high temperatures. This work built on voluntary temperature equipment testing we conducted in June. In that three-day study, no high temperatures were detected among approximately 1,400 international arriving passengers.
We learned a great deal about the effectiveness of the technology and how airlines might respond to a passenger with an elevated temperature. We did not detect any high temperatures that would indicate illness in passengers, but there’s still more to learn about how temperature testing may discourage people from traveling when they are sick.
No preventive measures can take the place of the personal responsibility we all share — do not travel if you have any symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19.
The pilot program ended. But as we enter flu season and learn more about COVID-19, temperature testing could be one part of a multi-layer safety program.
Feasibility study for COVID-19 testing
Within air travel, there is now significant focus on the feasibility of COVID-19 testing. This is more critical for passengers traveling to destinations with quarantines. We are evaluating multiple screening strategies like offering COVID-19 testing services at SEA.
While the airport and airlines continue to implement healthy travel protocols, we urge the federal government to develop a national strategy.
People need to be safe whether SEA Airport is their departure, destination, or daily worksite. And that will require cooperation across multiple companies, jurisdictions, and international boundaries.
The whole national aviation system must work together to protect our health, safety, and wellness. We’re ready to collaborate and will continue to implement proven and most powerful preventive measures in the next phase of FlyHealthy@SEA.
We are ready for you when you’re ready to travel. See you soon.
