Hong Kong Airport introduces disinfection channel trial

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Hong Kong International Airport recently launched a full-body disinfection channel trial becoming the world’s very first airport to carry out such an action. The method has been introduced to protect passengers and staff from COVID-19 virus infection. The facility is titled as CLeanTech.


It is an enclosed full-body disinfection facility that sanitizes travelers using the channel in 40 seconds and is said to destroy around 99.95 germs. At present, CLeanTech is being designated for use by staff undertaking public health and quarantine duties at the Hong Kong airport. Employees working with arriving passengers are also undergoing the trial.


The interior surface of the facility is equipped with an antimicrobial coating that kills viruses and bacteria on human bodies and clothing. Sanitizing spray is also used to disinfect those using the facility. Individuals using the channel are also undergoing body temperature checks before entering the enclosed space.


Cross-contamination between the outside environment in the terminal and the CLeanTech channel is avoided by keeping the channel under negative pressure. Therefore, when the doors are opened, air will rush into the compartment rather than going out of it. In addition, some autonomous cleaning robots have already been deployed at the airport to ensure thorough disinfection of public areas. The Intelligent Sterilisation Robots feature an ultraviolet light sterilizer and an air sterilizer and operate at all times in public bathrooms and key operating areas in the terminal building. Up to 99.99 percent of bacteria in the robots’ vicinities can be killed in just ten minutes.


Steven Yiu, Deputy Director of Service Delivery, Hong Kong Airport Authority said in a press statement that the safety and wellbeing of airport staff and passengers have always been the first priority of the airport. He mentioned despite air traffic being harshly impacted by the pandemic, the airport authority has left no effort to ensure that the airport is a safe environment for all users. He added that the airport will continue to look into new measures to enhance cleaning and disinfection work.

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