OR Tambo International Airport is anticipating a significant increase in the number of passengers travelling through its terminals this holiday season.
OR Tambo predicts the peak date for departing flights will start on December 18, through to January 21, according to BusinessTech.
Anyone who has not travelled since the nationwide lockdown was first implemented, and intends on travelling during this holiday period, will need to prepare themselves for ‘end-to-end wearing of masks’, and numerous other health and safety protocols.
The increase in the number of people travelling this holiday period comes after strict restrictions were lifted in June.
From the beginning of June, OR Tambo International Airport has managed to facilitate more than 200,000 domestic departures and over 2,300 domestic arrivals.
‘Since restrictions began to be lifted from June, the number of passengers returning to the skies has grown gradually but steadily,’ said OR Tambo International Airport Spokesperson Samukelo Khambule, according to IOL.
Despite an increase in the number of passengers and flights this December, Khambule believes the total number is still likely be half of the 2019 holiday season.
‘While we expect increased volumes of passengers and flights over December and January, the total is likely to be about half of the 2019 holiday season,’ Khambule said.
Protocols passengers need to follow
As more people make their way through busy airports, the risk of spreading COVID-19 increases substantially. To ensure this does not happen, Khambule has urged all passengers to abide by and follow health and safety protocols both inside and outside of airports.
‘We should all remain acutely conscious of the increased risks whenever larger numbers of people congregate. The national Covid situation is something that should drive renewed commitment to follow simple measures that protect each of us,’ Khambule said.
To ensure sufficient processing time, Khambule has suggested that anyone travelling should arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights, and four hours for international flights. She also urged all travellers to ‘apply good judgment’ when it comes to factors like social distancing and hand sanitizations.
Parking regulations
Any passenger or person transporting someone to the airport must ensure that they are not parked in a high-tariff zone before leaving their vehicle.
‘Vehicles left unattended within the pick-up (arrivals) and drop-off (departures) zones will be clamped and the owner will have to pay a fine for parking in a non-parking area,’ added Khambule, as reported by IOL.
Picture Twitter/@ortambo_int
