Auckland Airport (AKL) has announced it will make some simple but major changes in light of the country planning to reopen its borders to international travel.
New Zealand, which no longer has community transmission of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus within the country, is in the midst of setting up travel bubbles with other countries. Work is currently underway to separate its international terminal into two zones:
- Zone A (also knows as the “Safe Travel zone”) will be for those traveling to and from the countries with which New Zealand has formed these travel bubbles. It will be at the airport’s main pier, at gates 1 through 10. This zone would similar to pre-COVID times, with security and regular access to food and beverage.
- Zone B (a.k.a. the “Health Management” zone) will be for those coming from countries that don’t have an “air bubble” agreement with New Zealand, as well as for passengers who are transiting through Auckland Airport. It will be located at the airport’s Pier B, at gates 18-18. This zone would offer food and beverages via vending machines.
PC: ALK
Zone A and Zone B would eventually be totally separate. The way AKL is set up, it has 2 separate terminals, right down to independent heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. They only have to add some doors, walls and other controls into place, including a separate border facility for Zone B, for the new configuration to work.
Plans are underway for similar setups at other airports in New Zealand.
Although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has not yet announced when these travel bubbles will begin, ALK’s chief executive, Adrian Littlwood, said they want the separation to be ready for whenever the government gives the green light to open the country to international travel.
H/T: RNZ
#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands #wearamask
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
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