COVID-19 Prevention Efforts at ABE

March 23rd, 2020 | Airport News

Passenger safety is paramount during this pandemic

(Hanover Township, PA) – The Lehigh-Northampton Airport  Authority (LNAA) continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and has been proactive in providing a safe and healthy environment for passengers, stakeholders, tenants, and LNAA employees.

Increased sanitation / disinfection procedures remain in effect for the custodial staff, as do those implemented for air carrier operators and car rental agencies.

Employees remain vigilant of cleaning and sanitizing work areas.

Static and Electronic signage of the CDC recommended actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses remain displayed in restrooms and public elevators.

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), Queen City Municipal Airport (XLL), and Braden Airpark (N43) are open and operational.

Air Carrier Operators

All air carrier operators are still active but have announced significant schedule changes in the coming months.

We encourage all passengers to contact their airline for additional information.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Modified procedures for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been implemented and social distancing measures remain in effect at ABE.

Due to decreasing demand, TSA has reduced screening staff, and the Screening Checkpoint has one (1) lane open for security screening.

LNAA has received guidance from TSA that passengers should wash / sanitize their hands before and after the checkpoint. Additionally, wallets, phones, and keys should be kept in carry-on baggage and not placed in a bin.

12 ounce bottles of hand-sanitizer are permitted through the TSA checkpoint.

Car Rental Agencies at ABE

All car rental agencies are open and operational.

Concessionaires at ABE

The Lehigh Valley Cafe’ (Main Terminal) and PA Pub (Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post Departure Concourse)  are closed.

The Spirit of Lehigh Gift Shop, located in the Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post Departure Concourse, is operational.

The Java Joint and Dunkin’ kiosk in the Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post Departure Concourse remain operational as it is take-out service only.

Canteen Smart Market is also available.

Multimodal Transportation

Trans-Bridge Bus Lines which services the ABE Multi-modal Transportation Area, announced a modified schedule effective March 22 through April 4, 2020.

Hours of operation for the Passenger Services’ Ticket Counter will now be Monday through Friday, 0345-1100hrs, and Saturdays and Sundays from 0600-1000hrs.

COVID-19 Prevention

We must be vigilant and remain committed to take all precautions seriously as they are critical in preventing COVID-19 transmission through LNAA facilities. By practicing good personal hygiene, disinfecting your work spaces / heavy traffic areas, and raising awareness of public health measures, we can help reduce the human to human transmission.

Below are the procedures implemented at ABE for COVID-19 prevention:

1) Hand sanitizers have been strategically placed and additional units have been ordered for deployment throughout the terminal complex at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE).

2) LNAA custodial staff have increased their disinfection efforts in the following high traffic areas: door handles, escalator handrails, elevator controls, counter tops, paper towel / toilet paper dispensers, tables, chairs, vinyl seating, parking equipment, and ticket counter podiums.

3) LNAA has confirmed through discussion with airline personnel that public facing equipment (including self check-in kiosks) is disinfected throughout the day.

4) LNAA has received guidance from TSA that passengers should wash / sanitize their hands before and after the checkpoint. Additionally, wallets, phones, and keys should be kept in carry-on baggage and not placed in a bin.

5) Signage outlining CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) best practices are located in all restrooms and heavy public traffic areas.

6) LNAA distributed an internal email to all airport stakeholders outlining best practices for cleaning public areas from the WHO and CDC.

How to protect yourself from COVID-19

• Be committed to practicing good personal hygiene. (proper nutrition and sleep)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid direct contact (no handshakes or hugs) and close contact, which means remaining out of group congregate settings, avoiding large gatherings, and staying approximately
  6 feet from others when possible.
• It’s particularly important—to maintain that same 6-foot distance from anyone who is demonstrating signs of illness, including coughing, sneezing, or fever.

COVID-19 Testing Locations

Individuals concerned they may have symptoms of the virus (listed above), can get screened by phone or online through the LVHN app.

1. Call MyLVHN Nurse Information Line: 1-888-402-LVHN
2. Complete an LVHN Video Visit by downloading the MyLVHN app.

After screening, LVHN professionals will determine if a patient has COVID-19 symptoms and direct them to one of LVHN’s ten (10) standalone COVID-19 Assess and Test locations:

1. LVHN COVID-19 Assess and Test–17th Street, 1730 W. Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104 Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2. LVHN COVID-19 Assess and Test–Muhlenberg, 2604 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017, Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–MacArthur Road, 2741 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052 Operational Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Daily)
4. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Stroudsburg 1655 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Palmerton, 528 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
   Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
6. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Macungie, 6451 Village Lane, Macungie, PA 18062
   Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
7. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test-Richland Township, 320 W. Pumping Station Road, Suite 3, Quakertown, PA 18951 Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
8. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Hazleton, 140 N Sherman Court, Hazleton, PA 18201
   Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Cressona, 35 Sillyman Street, Cressona, PA 17929
   Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
10. LVHN COVID-19 Assess & Test–Nazareth, 863 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth, PA 18064
    Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.