#Southwest will test thermal cameras to detect fevers in Dallas

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A Southwest Airlines jet takes off from Love Field in Dallas
AP

Southwest Airlines will begin testing thermal cameras to better detect fevers among flyers.

The airline will begin piloting the cameras as a coronavirus precaution at its smaller Dallas Love Field airport in Dallas, where the company is headquartered, the Dallas Morning News reported.

The cameras won’t initially be used on passengers during what is expected to be a 30- to 90-day trial of the equipment, according to Southwest.

“Southwest always operates a multi-layered approach to supporting the well-being of travelers and employees, which is especially important during the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said Scott Halfmann, vice president of safety and security at Southwest Airlines, in a statement to the paper.

“We are pleased to partner with Dallas Love Field on this pilot project as thermal screenings could be an important additional layer of precaution that Southwest can offer customers starting at the very beginning of their travel journey,” he added.

The airport will join Los Angeles International Airport in rolling out such cameras. LAX announced it would begin using similar equipment last month, providing voluntary scans for passengers at two points in its Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Airports across the world are rolling out thermal cameras and other equipment in hopes to effectively stop the spread of the coronavirus. Hong Kong International Airport in April began rolling out thermal camera booths to beat the bug, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Southwest has also joined other major U.S. airlines in requiring face masks during flights and on Wednesday announced there would be no exemptions except for travelers under the age of two.