London Heathrow Airport has re-opened more than 30 stores across Terminal 2 and 5, as of 16 July 2020.

Among these stores are a small number of cafés and restaurants which can be enjoyed contact-free via contactless payment, the airport app and Heathrow Boutique reserve and collect shopping service.

Takeaway food and drink can be ordered on the app remotely, ready to pick up a short time later. Items from a selection of stores can also be reserved ahead of arriving at the airport, meaning travellers can shop their favourite brands from home.

This week, Gordon Ramsay Plane Food reopened in Terminal 5, becoming the first full-service restaurant at the airport to do so.

As reported the airport has already reopened its main Terminal 2 World Duty Free store and Terminal 5 World Duty Free walkthrough outlet.

‘CHALLENGING FEW MONTHS’

The airport said: “After a challenging few months, we’re excited to see our retailers begin to open their doors again.

“The safety of our passengers and colleagues remains our number one priority as we re-open. That’s why we’ve been working closely with our retail partners to implement new measures to ensure passengers feel safe, protected and confident to travel again.”

[Click the below video to see how the new normal for shopping looks at London Heathrow and to learn about new safety measures in place]

Measures  include ultraviolet (UV) cleaning robots using  UV rays to kill viruses and bacteria at night.

Kone ultraviolet handrail technology will also be fitted to escalators to ensure continuous disinfection of the moving handrails, while self-cleaning anti-viral wraps will be attached to security trays and lift buttons trolley and door handles to protect against Covid-19. The wraps work by coating high-touch surfaces in a material with long-lasting anti-viral protection.

The airport is also preparing to host the UK’s first pilot Test on Arrival Initiative, which could allow passengers arriving from higher risk countries who have tested negative for Covid-19 to enter the UK without having to quarantine.

Temperature testing technology launched in May continues to perform well in a live operational environment, with the potential to quickly screen passengers with minimal impact to their journey.

Heathrow said: “While the introduction of travel corridors is a first step in restoring confidence in international travel, we need Government to act faster to lead the way in establishing Common International Standards that would allow safer travel to critical trading routes, moving past the current quarantine.”

Heathrow CEO, John Holland Kaye added: “We have reviewed the entire Heathrow airport experience to ensure that our passengers and colleagues are kept safe as travel resumes to ‘Green’ and ‘Amber’ countries. Now we need Government to safely restore Britain’s long-haul connections as the country prepares for life outside the EU, with Common International Standards for COVID testing from “Red” countries.”

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown recently took part in our Adapt & Survive Skype video series. Click here for the interview.