Passenger screening at the Airports in Crete for Swine Flu
The entrance gates of Crete are shielded against the swine flu; thermal imaging cameras were recently installed at the Heraklion Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”,’ and the Chania Airport, “I. Daskaloyannis”, following orders of the Minister of Health.
Although the initial information given to the administration of the International Airport at Heraklion from Athens mentioned that there is no reason to do so, it was decided that due to the coming high summer season, installation of thermal screening cameras in both airports in Crete is necessary, since many flights from foreign countries land there.
A few days ago a group of specialists from Athens arrived at Heraklion and installed a camera at the arrivals compartments (both outside and inside the Schengen zone). The installation was executed by a private company that establishes these devices in all airports of the Country.
Cameras in Heraklion have already been initiated; however it is not yet confirmed for how long they will be operating. According to the officials of the Civil Air force, the installation of Cameras was just a preventive measure and should not raise any concerns. It was a decision made by the Ministry of Health, following the outbreak of the swine flu in other countries.
Cameras will be controlled and managed by specialized personnel who will be monitoring the indicators and will inform the physicians of the airport if necessary.
These cameras do not record the passengers’ actions and movements in the airport, but only the body temperatures of visitors who come to Crete.
Passengers are reminded that a few days ago printed material with useful information on the swine flu was distributed at the airports of Greece, while directions for preventive measures were given to both the personnel and visitors of airports. Travelers must be well informed whether they are traveling outside Greece or not.
The leaflets distributed refer to the specific type of virus and its outbreak in countries such as Mexico and the US and provide useful information on symptoms and characteristics of the flu. It is also stressed that people who visit countries where the swine flu virus is already confirmed should follow the directions and instructions of the Health Associations of those countries. Travelers are advised to take some precaution measures, wash their hands well, using soap or pure alcohol, cover their mouths and noses with surgical masks, and avoid handshaking.
Some of the most common symptoms are headache, high temperature, coughing, sore throat, and muscle aches.