AUS announces new Covid safety measures

While passenger traffic has been down at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, airport officials and employees have not just been sitting around twiddling their thumbs and playing Animal Crossing. The city has just announced a slew of new measures aimed at keeping airport staff and travelers safe during the pandemic. AUS “has already enhanced cleaning practices and installed signage to promote adherence to public health guidance,” according to a news release. Among other recent changes at the airport are new signs encouraging physical distancing, face coverings and good hygiene; extra hand sanitizing stations; protective Plexiglas barriers at ticket counters and gates; and additional cleaning of TSA security checkpoints and other areas of the terminal. Restrooms are now cleaned every 90 minutes and get an extra deep-cleaning overnight. The airport has temporarily closed the Economy Lot “to mitigate the crowded nature of parking shuttles. Parking rates in the Blue and Red Garages have been discounted so passengers can safely park near the Barbara Jordan Terminal and walk a short distance to it.” Other precautions that travelers can take include using mobile boarding passes and checking in from home. Perhaps most important, most airlines now require passengers to wear face coverings while in flight, so don’t leave home without your mask.