Masks, face-coverings mandatory at Toronto airport
Posted June 1, 2020 2:16 pm.
Last Updated June 1, 2020 2:24 pm.
TORONTO (680 NEWS) — New rules went into effect at Pearson International Aiport in Toronto Monday as the airport authority cracks down on the potential spread of COVID-19.
All passengers and airport employees must wear non-medical masks or face-coverings at all times when in public areas of the airport, including security screening, parking facilities, sidewalks and curbs outside the terminal and other outdoor public areas.
Terminal access is also restricted to passengers who are travelling on the same day and to airport employees who are on duty, according to the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, which operates Canada’s largest airport.
Those dropping off or picking up friends and loved ones at the airport are not allowed in the terminals.
The airport says physical distancing of two metres is a must “whenever possible.”
The directive says you may be asked to remove the face covering for identification purposes or if you are seated and physically distanced when eating or drinking.
Officials say enhanced cleaning procedures include more frequent wipe-downs of high-touch areas such as baggage carts, escalators and moving sidewalks, with more hand sanitizer stations and frequent disinfection of washrooms and kiosks.
Since April 20, people flying to or from Canadian airports have been required to wear face-covering following a Transport Canada directive.
When it comes to enforcing the new measures, police, security guards and safety officers will be “politely educating” staff and passengers who are not following the new requirements.
Vancouver International Airport has said it’s following the similar rules, but isn’t mandating them the same way as Pearson.
