Equipment deployed at Poole's refurbished cruise terminal to detect COVID-19

The equipment calculates core body temperature in a procedure lasting fewer than two seconds, according to the port. 

Fogging machines for sanitation have also been deployed. 

Captain Brian Murphy, marine & port director and harbour master, Port of Poole said, ‘We’ve been working closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure the port is ready, willing, and able to welcome back passengers in a safe and manageable way.' 

Social distancing 

The terminal has been reconfigured to support social distancing measures, which includes a one-way system throughout and hand sanitising stations.

Transfer of passengers from vessels to land will be overseen by a port team to ensure safe distancing is maintained. 

Return to UK sailing 

The port is working alongside the British Ports Association, the UK Chamber of Shipping, Cruise Britain, and other bodies to ensure protocols adhere to UK government guidelines when cruising resumes in the UK this summer. 

According to the port, the same processes used by the port for ferry operations, which have passed four audits with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) since August 2020, are being extended to cruise operations.