Zoomlion fumigates Airports amidst public anxiety over Indian COVID variant

Zoomlion Ghana has undertaken a thorough disinfestation and disinfection operation at all airports in the country as part of measures against the spread COVID-19.

The disinfestation and disinfection exercises has been a monthly activity carried out by Zoomlion and  is targeted to deactivate micro organisms and kill vectors that may be agents of transmission of other diseases.

The operation was carried at a time there is growing public anxiety sparked by media reports that the dreaded delta variant of the SARS CoV-2 has entered the country.

The Ghana Health Service confirmed the report but clarified that the virus has not entered the community because the persons who tested positive at the point of entry into the country were immediately taken into compulsory isolation.

All through last week, Staff of Zoomlion were seen busily disinfecting the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) with sophisticated disinfection machines such as handheld foggers, knapsack sprayers, automated road sprayers among others.

The areas disinfected includes arrival halls, departure halls, offices, basement, washrooms, tarmac, VIP lounges, waiting rooms, Hold baggage among other spaces at the Airport.

Speaking to journalists during the exercise, a Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion, Mr. Enoch Mintah explained that the constant disinfection of our Airports have proven effective in de-activating bacteria and viruses including the spread of COVID-19.

He said regular disinfection of the Airports have helped reduce the COVID-19 cases which perhaps would have been higher without the monthly disinfection.

“The chemicals and disinfectants being used by his outfit were WHO recommended and approved and their potency and environmental friendly impacts are unquestionable” Mr. Mintah pointed out.

Kumasi Airport Disinfection

At the Kumasi Airport, the team disinfected all their facilities and touchable items.

The Ashanti Regional Vector Control Officer, Ernest Nutor explained that aside the disinfection, ” a disinfestation exercise has also been done to control the menace of rodents, crawling and flying insects which are conduit for spreading other diseases and has become a concern for officials at the Airports”.

According to him, “the exercise is necessary because ants, rats, cockroaches and other insects do cause health problems and also destroy vital documents of officials hence the need to get rid of them”.

Enerst Nutor added that Zoomlion has the expertise in vector control and disinfection services hence the collaboration with the Airport authorities to regularly undertake the exercise.

Tamale Airport Disinfection

Over 20 staff of Zoomlion were seen disinfecting the Tamale Airport.

Areas disinfected included the fire service station, presidential lounge, sub-stations, car parks among others.

Mr. Abdul-Aziz Yelsouma, the Northern Regional Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion indicated that the regularly disinfection of Airports in the country is a monthly exercise undertaken in collaboration with the Ghana Airport Company.

“As we all know COVID-19 is still with us and the new strain (Delta variant) of the virus has been recorded at the KIA Airport. It has become necessary for the reinforcement of all our control strategies especially mass disinfection of all Public places such as the Tamale Airport since it is still in operation”.

HO Airport Disinfection

At the Ho Airport, the Volta regional Vector Control Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Isaac Ablormeti stated that the idea behind the  monthly disinfection and disinfestation exercises is to wall off snakes, harmful insects and viruses invading the environment of the airport and once this insects are curtailed it gives the staff confidence to stay on the environment without any fear or panic.

According to him insects are found of invading the environment looking at the nature of bushes around the airport.

“When you go round you will see some drains and gutters and that’s where the snakes are found so this exercise is basically to wall off such harmful animals with the monthly disinfection exercise by Zoomlion”.

Zoomlion Ghana Limited has been at the forefront of disinfection of public places since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana.

Ghana’s first recorded cases was imported and recorded at the KIA hence the need to regularly disinfect our Airports.