Heathrow passengers have faced chaotic scenes and long queues at the airport this morning amid reports of security staff shortages.
Images shared to social media show hundreds of travellers packed into Heathrow Airport, with social distancing appearing difficult to ensure.
One traveller described the scene as “total chaos” before saying they’ve “never seen anything like it”.
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While another traveller said: “Never seen Heathrow so busy!!!! Tried to stay at home or at least deploy maximum social distancing all week ahead of flying to the US today – seems slightly redundant when this is what greets you at the airport!! Wish I had dressed in a Zorb Ball today!!”
“Staff nowhere to be seen, just like social distancing. Hundreds must have missed flights,” claimed another passenger who revealed it took 90 minutes to get through security.
Another passenger has even claimed that there are “fights breaking out” amid all the chaos.
While most travellers can be seen wearing a face covering in the images, many appear tightly packed in with social distancing compromised.
Some travellers have speculated online and claimed that they had been told that the chaotic scenes were due to staff shortages at the airport.
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According to check-in personnel at the airport, 120 security staff have not arrived for work at Terminal 5, though the full details are not yet clear, reports The Telegraph.
Some sources say staff have “failed to turn up” because of the football, while others cite a “glitch” in the NHS app, triggering mass self-isolation.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We’re currently experiencing some passenger congestion in Terminal 5 departures.
“Our teams are working hard to get passengers away on their journeys and we hope to have the congestion cleared as quickly as possible.
“Passengers are reminded that face coverings are mandatory inside the airport.”
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https://www.mylondon.news/lifestyle/travel/chaos-heathrow-airport-euro-2020-21030075
