LAX to Implement Thermal Body Cameras to Screen For Possible COVID-19 Carriers

New Bank of Canada Governor Says COVID-19 Will Leave Lasting Changes on Economy

OTTAWA—Canada’s top central banker says there will be long-term economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic as the country charts a “prolonged and bumpy” course to recovery. In his first speech as governor, Tiff Macklem says the central bank expects to see growth in the third quarter of this year as people are called back to work and households resume some of their normal activities as restrictions ease. But he warns that Canadians shouldn’t expect the short and sharp economic bounce-back expected over the coming months to last. The combination of uneven reopenings across provinces and industries, the unknown course of consumer confidence, and unemployment rates will “likely inflict some lasting damage to demand and supply,” Macklem says in a speech Monday. He said ongoing physical distancing rules may mean workplaces can’t…

LOS ANGELES (CNS)鈥擳hermal cameras that check passengers’ body temperatures will begin operating June 23 throughout the Tom Bradley International Terminal and arrival areas at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as another layer of protection to help keep travelers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a voluntary program with signage alerting passengers where the pilot [program] will take place,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “To be clear, these thermal camera temperature checks will not replace other safety measures. We’re not saying that you only can rely on this. This is an additional layer of safety.”

If someone registers a body temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, airport staff will request a secondary screening, and that passenger could be referred to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff to be instructed to quarantine.

The Terminal Wellness Pilot Program is slated to begin June 23, Garcetti said, and the cameras are being provided by Carlyle Airport Group at no cost to LAX.

“We know it’s incumbent upon us to make the public comfortable with the idea of traveling once again, to help boost passenger traffic numbers and to rev up the giant economic engine that is Southern California,” said Sean Burton, president of the Los Angeles Airport Commission.

Since the start of the pandemic, airport staffers have installed hundreds of hand sanitizer stations, conducted deep cleanings of the airport, and focused on sanitizing high-touch facilities such as elevators and doors.

Los Angeles World Airports CEO Justin Erbacci said the goal of the pilot program is to determine the best technologies to use for temperature checks at major hub airports, and to create processes and protocols that can be recreated at other terminals in the U.S. and internationally.

 

Focus News: LAX to Implement Thermal Body Cameras to Screen For Possible COVID-19 Carriers

Germany Condemns Weekend Violence, Looting in Stuttgart

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country’s top security official on June 22 decried an outburst of violence at the weekend in the southwestern city of Stuttgart, where hundreds of people attacked stores, vehicles, and police officers following a stop-and-search for drugs. Authorities say 24 people were arrested over Saturday night’s unrest and 19 police officers were injured. Merkel’s spokesman said the scenes “were abhorrent and must be strongly condemned.” “Anyone who takes part in such outbreaks of violence, brutally attacks police officers, and destroys and plunders shops cannot in any way justify it,” Steffen Seibert said Monday. Seibert thanked police officers nationwide, saying they “should know that the German government and millions of people stand behind you.” Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who called for “swift and tough” punishment of…