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If you feel unwell at airport screening
If you feel sick during airport screening after travelling from an outbreak area, tell airport or border staff straight away. Do not try to hide your symptoms or carry on as normal.
Staff are there to help you and will advise on the next steps. They may ask you to move to a separate area so you can be assessed more safely and with less contact with other travellers.
Limit contact with other people
If possible, keep your distance from other passengers and staff while you wait for help. Avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily and do not share items such as phones, pens, or drinks.
If you are wearing a face covering, keep it on unless a member of staff tells you otherwise. If you need to cough or sneeze, use a tissue or cough into your elbow, and wash or sanitise your hands afterwards.
Follow instructions from public health staff
You may be asked about your symptoms, where you have travelled, and who you have been in contact with. Answer as fully and honestly as you can, as this helps health teams decide what support or precautions are needed.
Border staff, airport medical teams, or public health officials may arrange for you to be checked by a health professional. In some cases, they may advise you to go home, isolate, or seek urgent medical care depending on how ill you are.
Get medical advice if symptoms worsen
If you have severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or collapse, ask for urgent medical help immediately. In the UK, this may mean calling 999 or asking airport staff to do so for you.
If your symptoms are milder but you are still worried, follow the advice given by the airport team or contact NHS 111 as soon as you can. Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy, or hospital waiting room without first getting advice if you may have been exposed to an outbreak illness.
After you leave the airport
Follow any instructions you are given about isolation, testing, or monitoring your health. Keep a note of when your symptoms started and whether they change over the next few days.
If you develop new symptoms, or if someone you travelled with becomes unwell, seek advice promptly. It is also important to tell close contacts if public health staff advise you that they may have been exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tell airport screening staff immediately, follow their instructions, and avoid close contact with other travelers. If you have severe symptoms, ask for medical help right away.
Inform airport screening staff, airline personnel, and any public health or medical personnel on site. If directed, also notify your local health authority after arrival.
You should not continue traveling until screening staff or a medical professional tells you it is safe. They may recommend isolation, evaluation, or a change to your travel plan.
Any fever, cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, or unusual weakness should be reported, especially if they started after visiting an outbreak area.
Yes, if you can safely tolerate it, wearing a well-fitting mask helps reduce the spread of illness while you are being screened and while moving through the airport.
You may be asked to isolate or separate from others until a health professional assesses your symptoms and exposure risk. Follow the instructions given by airport or public health staff.
It depends on the illness, the outbreak, and local rules. Screening staff may allow travel, require further evaluation, or direct you to medical care or isolation.
Yes, depending on the situation, they may refer you for testing or medical assessment. The exact process depends on the outbreak and the airport's public health procedures.
Keep your passport, boarding pass, travel history, and any medical information you have, such as symptom onset and recent contacts. These details can help screening staff assess your risk.
They look at your symptoms, travel history, possible exposure, temperature or other screening results, and current public health guidance before deciding on next steps.
Monitor your symptoms, follow any isolation or testing instructions, and contact a healthcare provider or public health authority if symptoms worsen or you are told to do so.
You should avoid public transportation unless screening staff say it is safe and necessary. If you must travel, use a mask, keep distance from others, and follow local health guidance.
Yes, share that information with healthcare workers, public health officials, and close contacts if asked, because it may help them determine your risk and next steps.
Contact a healthcare provider or public health authority promptly, explain your travel history, and follow their advice about testing, isolation, and monitoring.
Yes, but do so carefully and try to minimize contact with others and surfaces. Use hand hygiene before and after touching shared items or facilities.
Stay apart from others, wear a mask, cover coughs and sneezes, use hand hygiene, and follow all instructions from airport or health staff.
Refusing screening may cause delays, additional questioning, or restrictions on travel. Rules vary by country and outbreak, so it is best to cooperate with officials.
Yes, children may be assessed with a parent or guardian present, and staff may give instructions based on the child's age, symptoms, and exposure risk.
Yes, if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue lips, or any emergency warning signs, ask for immediate medical help right away.
Use official public health websites, airport health services, or a licensed healthcare provider for guidance. Avoid relying on rumors or unverified social media information.
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This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
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