Staff Reporter :
Two thermal scanners out of three installed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) remained out of order for a week causing a potential loophole in coronavirus preventive measures at the country’s prime airport.
The Health Department earlier installed these thermal scanners at the airport to detect possible coronavirus infection among inbound air travellers.
One of the scanners was set up at the entrance of VIP terminal and two others at the entrance of regular passenger terminals.
At the same time, the Department also introduced mandatory screening at all ports of entry, and established isolation facilities and a rapid response team to handle suspected cases.
Officials at HSIA said, at present, inbound passengers were being scanned by only one scanner and handheld scanners at the airport
to check suspected coronavirus cases.
“The shortage of scanner causes hinders health check-up of air passengers from different countries, including China, increasing the threat of coronavirus outbreak in the country,” said an official.
However, he said, the HSIA authorities had asked the health ministry to set up new scanners as soon as early possible. “We have already sent demand letter to the ministry, seeking new scanners.”
Two thermal scanners out of three installed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) remained out of order for a week causing a potential loophole in coronavirus preventive measures at the country’s prime airport.
The Health Department earlier installed these thermal scanners at the airport to detect possible coronavirus infection among inbound air travellers.
One of the scanners was set up at the entrance of VIP terminal and two others at the entrance of regular passenger terminals.
At the same time, the Department also introduced mandatory screening at all ports of entry, and established isolation facilities and a rapid response team to handle suspected cases.
Officials at HSIA said, at present, inbound passengers were being scanned by only one scanner and handheld scanners at the airport
to check suspected coronavirus cases.
“The shortage of scanner causes hinders health check-up of air passengers from different countries, including China, increasing the threat of coronavirus outbreak in the country,” said an official.
However, he said, the HSIA authorities had asked the health ministry to set up new scanners as soon as early possible. “We have already sent demand letter to the ministry, seeking new scanners.”
