Knock Airport follows HSE guidelines on coronavirus

Anton McNulty

IRELAND West Airport Knock has stated that it is following public health advice in relation to the outbreak of the coronavirus in Ireland.
The presence of COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, has been confirmed on the island of Ireland. Two people who flew in from an affected area in northern Italy have tested positive for the virus. One, a resident of Northern Ireland, was announced late on Thursday night last; news of the second, an east coast resident, was announced on Saturday.
The virus, which originated in China in late 2019, has now spread to more than 30 countries, including a large number on mainland europe.
Flights to continental Europe from Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) are mainly seasonal, and there are currently no flights to or from continental Europe from Knock. The only current destinations from the east Mayo airport are to the UK, where the number of coronavirus cases has risen to 36.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), which is part of the HSE, sets the public-health guidelines on how to deal with contagious diseases, and IWAK management say they are liaising closely with the HPSC regarding the coronavirus.
“Ireland West Airport follows all of the HPSC’s guidelines, and we have been liaising closely with them since the outbreak of the virus. Irish health officials have said that there is no requirement for health screening/temperature checks at Irish airports at this time, and note that this type of screening is not recommended by the World Health Organisation.
“Separately, there are formal protocols in place in the event of a passenger presenting with acute respiratory infection on an inbound aircraft, and these will be strictly adhered to.
“The HPSC will continue to closely monitor the situation and will keep us informed immediately should there be any change in the guidelines,” the airport stated.

Prevention
The coronavirus is a flu-like virus, and health experts say the best way to prevent its spread it to observe good hand and respiratory hygiene habits.
The HSE has stated that the risk of catching coronavirus in Ireland is still low, and while this may change, its advice is that most people may continue to go to work, school and other public places, as usual.
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. These symptoms are a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and a fever (high temperature).
The HSE stated that there is no evidence that the wearing of face masks is of any benefit if you are not sick and should only be worn if you have or may have coronavirus or are in close contact with someone who has or may have the virus.
The organisation says that to protect themselves, people should wash their hands properly  and regularly, cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their sleeve when they cough or sneeze, put used tissues into a bin and wash their hands, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, and follow travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
More information on the coronavirus is available on the HSE website, www.hse.ie.