Airport to tighten food, health control

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post/Tangerang

Facing an increase in the incidents of contagious diseases spreading across borders, the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport plans to tighten its health controls.

Airport Health Office (KPP) head Rosjidi said on Thursday during the launch of the program that all aircraft on domestic and international flights would be examined as they enter and leave the airport around the clock.

Food suppliers, grouped under the Aero Catering Service, and their employees would also have health examinations every three months, he added.

"We have to do this to prevent the spread of contagious diseases through the airport," said Rosjidi.

Country gateways throughout the world had to deal with a major problem when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) emerged last year. Changi airport in Singapore was closed down temporarily to prevent the disease from spreading in or out of the country.

Director of Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health, Umar Fahmi Achmadi, said that the Soekarno-Hatta airport needed more thermal scanners to detect passengers with high fever, however it already has 10.

He also urged the KPP to hold routine fumigation in the aircraft.

To coordinate the program, a regular meeting will be held every three months between the airport's working partners, comprising the airlines, companies providing cleaning services, ground handlers, parking service workers and the food suppliers.

KPP will also coordinate with the Customs and Excise office as well as with the Immigration and Quarantine offices next year to meet the general safety standards required at an international airport, said Rosjidi.