Why physical distancing is not observed in aircraft — Sirika

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has explained the reason physical distancing may not be observed in aircrafts, as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Mr Sirika observed that the cabin is safer than any hospital theatre because of the procedures the air that is circulated in the cabin goes through.

The minister stated this yesterday when he embarked on a simulation return flight to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to assess the preparation of the airport for resumption of flights.

He further explained that the non-adherence to physical distancing was responsible for the ‘affordable’ ticket fare for air passengers.

Speaking on why physical distancing may not be observed, Sirika said: “Because of the nature of the airplane, the airplane is hygienic enough once you have your mask, you are safe to remain seated on your seat and where possible, we will keep the distance.

The minister added: “Airplanes are designed in such a way that the ambient air at altitudes is clean. It is not contaminated. The air is dropped in the aircrafts, pressurised and because of pressurization, the temperature of the air goes up to 200 degrees which is twice boiling water and there is no bacteria or virus that can survive it and it is suddenly cooled to about 2 degrees centigrate and then it is passed to a filter.

He continued: “With this mechanism in place, everything will be safe provided that we are decontaminating the airplane before we enter and decontaminating after we leave and also cleaning all the possible surfaces that one will touch.”

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