• April

    7

    2020

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport ramps up cleaning efforts amid coronavirus

by Ida Domingo
Tuesday, March 17th 2020

ROANOKE, Va. (WSET) — Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is ramping up cleaning efforts in response to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission (RRAC), they have a communication network established with important federal, state and local partners to closely monitor the outbreak.

“The Airport Commission has been vigilant and proactive in our approach to maintain a healthy environment for all travelers, stakeholders, and staff. Our primary goal is to prevent transmission through disinfection of facilities, raising awareness of public health measures, and reducing person-toperson transmission,” the RRAC wrote in a release.

Below are the procedures implemented at ROA for coronavirus prevention:

  1. Hand sanitizers strategically placed and additional units ordered for deployment throughout the terminal complex at ROA
  2. ROA custodial staff have increased their disinfection efforts in the following high traffic areas: door handles, escalator handrails, elevator controls, countertops, paper towel/toilet paper dispensers, tables, chairs, vinyl seating, parking equipment, and ticket counter podiums.
  3. ROA has confirmed through discussion with airline personnel that public-facing equipment (including self-check-in kiosks) are disinfected throughout the day.
  4. ROA has received guidance from TSA that passengers should wash/sanitize their hands before and after the checkpoint. Additionally, wallets, phones, and keys kept in carry-on baggage and not placed in a bin.
  5. Signage outlining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) best practices are located in all restrooms and heavy public traffic areas.
  6. ROA distributed an internal email to all airport stakeholders outlining best practices for cleaning public areas from the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.
  7. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced 51 confirmed cases of the coronavirus Monday, March 16.

To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:

  1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
  4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  5. Stay home when you are sick
  6. Avoid contact with sick people
  7. Avoid non-essential travel

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Photo Credit: Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is ramping up cleaning efforts in response to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus. (WSET)

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