Now that there have been three cases of coronavirus in Iowa, people who come in contact with air travelers might be at higher risk of contracting the disease.
The Director of Operations at the Des Moines International Airport tells WHO-TV 13 safety is always their number one priority. Clint Torp says they’ve been protecting their employees the same way they protect their customers, by issuing a number of CDC recommendations.
Torp says the airport has increased cleaning procedures in high traffic areas and bathrooms, escalators, and handrails. They’ve added more hand sanitizing stations all across the airport and have posted personal hygiene educational signs in all bathrooms. A number of airlines have implemented additional cleaning measures as well.
“What we’re really doing is just increasing the education level and increasing the amount of hand sanitizer stations that we're putting out there so it's really upfront and in people’s visibility,” Torp told WHO-TV 13.
The Des Moines International Airport always encourages its employees to stay home if ill. However, Torp says they haven’t seen an increase in employees taking sick days this year. Regardless, he says the airport is always prepared.
“Operationally we’re prepared for sick employees if we have them and we’ll continue with operations as we move forward,” Torp says.
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