“Its the same with temperature scanning – first you may miss a lot of asymptomatic Covid carriers. And if you do identify someone who has a temperature – and say they are a parent of a family of four what do you do then? Where do you put them if they miss their flight?
He added: “The results from throat swab tests would take too long and are also too unreliable.”
Professor Woodcock, one of the country’s top respiratory specialists said the “simple rules” that had been recommended would be sufficient.
READ RELATED: Expert Article: Is Your White Tongue A Matter Of Concern?
Professor Woodcock, OBE, from the University of Manchester, said the low humidity in the plane at altitude also meant a virus was unlikely to survive for long and air filtration on planes sift out virus particles.
And he said that while it was not always possible to maintain the two-metre rule in airports, wearing masks would mitigate any potential risk because it stops people spreading the virus.
He said: “You can reduce the risks of people being in closer proximity at airports and in planes by encouraging social distancing where possible, but with the mandatory use of face masks, which can protect people who are coughing or sneezing from spreading the virus, although not catching it.”
Source: Daily Express