From sterilizing the cabin to serving meals, China Southern Airlines Zhuhai has taken serious measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and ensure safe travel.

The carrier's emergency plans for 2019-nCoV cover sterilization personnel, medicines, instruments, protective items, methods, and protocols for passenger cabins, toilets, and dustbin rooms.

After each flight, staff wipe clean cabin gates, fold-up tables, armrests, toilets, and other surfaces passengers are mostly exposed to. Preventative sterilization is conducted on other areas of the airplanes after daily flight operations. The passenger cabins, for instance, are sterilized with medical alcohol at a concentration of 75 percent.

Sterilization of passenger cabin [Photo by Shen Zhuo / Guanhai App]

Since Jan 28, China Southern Airlines Zhuhai has also adjusted procedures on in-flight meals and at VIP lounges to avoid close contact between people.

Moreover, air travelers are advised to get to the airport earlier for epidemic prevention and control measures such as taking temperatures. They also should wear masks at the airport and in the passenger cabin, and bring their own pens to fill out relevant forms.

As usual, air in the passenger cabin comes from the plane's air-conditioning system and is rotated every three minutes. The air-recycling system is equipped with a high-efficiency particulate filter, which can block 99.97 percent of bacteria and virus particles. This new-type filter material also disinfects and sterilizes, with filtration efficiency far higher than that of other means of transport or in office buildings.

Meanwhile, the air is also dehumidified to protect the plane's electrical system and reduce structural weight. Dry air is not conducive to the growth and reproduction of pathogens. The basic situation is already enough to ensure the freshness and cleanliness of the air within the passenger cabin.

On the nearby highway, the southbound Jinwan exit toward Gaolan Port, and Sanzao and West Airport Road exits of the Airport Expressway have been closed since Feb 5. Exits to Xiangzhou and Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport remain open. The status of the exits is subject to change.

Motorists must have their temperature taken and information logged at expressway exits, according to a notice posted by the Jinwan government.