Avoid keeping shoes, personal belongings in same tray at airports; here's why

Using the same tray for carrying shoes and personal belongings at airport security checkins can raise crosscontamination risks warned experts on Sunday after a senior executive recently flagged the unsanitary practice being carried out at Bengaluru airportThe majority of airports in India ask passengers wearing boots and shoes with heels to remove them and drop them off for scanning While there are trays that come with an image of shoes people often use the same trays for dropping personal itemsTaking to social media platform Xcom Anand Nichani the managing director of Magniflex India this week called out against the practice of using the same trays to keep passengersrsquo shoes and personal items such as phones and laptops for being scanned at airport security checkinThe same trays that carry our muddy shoes are used for our personal items at airport security This is NOT okay Bengaluru airport its time to make dedicated trays for shoes MANDATORY for a cleaner and more pleasant experience for everyone posted Nichani who was flying from Bengaluru to DelhiWhile Bengaluru International Airport responded by saying ldquoWeve positioned dedicated shoe trays adjacent to all of the Xrays for easerdquo Nichani said it has to be made mandatoryDr Aravinda S N Lead Consultant Internal Medicine Aster RV Hospital Bengaluru told IANS that ldquousing the same trays for shoes and personal belongings can lead to the transfer of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria viruses and fungi from footwear to personal items This can result in the spread of illnesses including influenza norovirus and MRSArdquoldquoFootwear especially shoes transmit infection and can contaminate the floors or the place where they are kept increasing crosscontamination risks in public spacesrdquo added Dr Neha Mishra Consultant Infectious Diseases Manipal Hospital BengaluruThe experts noted that children and the elderly are more susceptible to infections due to weaker immune systemsExposure to contaminated surfaces and objects can lead to severe health issues such as respiratory infections gastrointestinal problems and even lifethreatening conditions like sepsisPoor sanitation and unhygienic practices pose severe health risks leading to gastrointestinal infections respiratory ailments and skin diseases These conditions can escalate into pandemics and have longterm consequences including weakened immunity and chronic illnessesSeparate shoe containers can carry a lesser risk of transmission of infections without contaminating other goods that are being screened at the airport Mishra saidAravinda suggested some basic tips to prevent the spread of infectious diseases while travelling in public spaces such as using hand sanitizer frequently avoiding touching your face or mouth during security checks and washing hands thoroughly after passing through security checksAlso ReadGet set travel A comprehensive guide to solo travelling for womenThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever