Executive Travel Post COVID-19 - Tips for the Executive Protection Specialist

Thanks to Clayton Abraham from the Executive Committee, ASIS Victoria Australia Chapter for the outline on executive travel post COVID-19. Clayton provides specialist advice in the area of executive protection and security risk. This article focuses on executive overland transport.

Business travel post COVID-19 will see a fundamental change in overland transportation. For many, return to work strategies will involve in-person meetings & site visits.  It’s more likely that corporate C-Suite, high-net-worth individuals and critical business operations will leverage private air charters rather than commercial travel.

Private jets will definitely reduce the risk of infection, as well as alleviate concerns of travellers.  However, this travel mode is out of the reach for most people, so it is going to be a very uncomfortable time for most commercial travellers, pre vaccination.

So what happens when you land? Taking  a taxi or other ride-share service can be a risk.  For example, how does one know if the driver has already completed a number of jobs that day? Has the vehicle been cleaned prior? Is there hand sanitizer?  Does the driver use PPE and is any mask suitable?  Further, if you have a pre-booked vehicle will it be on time, or will you have to wait in a terminal with other travellers who perhaps aren't that concerned about social distancing?

Uncontrollable variables breed doubt and fear with the risk of cross-contamination and infection increases significantly in public areas and services. To improve traveller/client confidence in a transport service it is recommended an executive protection specialist address the following:

1. Pre-travel briefing to the traveller/client including recommendations on measures to reduce their own risk including arrival considerations and precautions utilising a local team.
2. Utilise specialists who understand  hygiene protocols and COVID-19 risk reduction measures.
3. Visual arrival collection sign with pre-briefed personnel who maintain a safe and comfortable distance when escorted to transport.
4. Pre-arrival - the vehicle interior & exterior has been fully cleaned and sanitised.
5. Driver and other protective personnel to wear appropriate PPE
6. Vehicle rear seat equipped with hand sanitiser.
7. Vehicle rear seat to have enough face masks for the passengers if required.
8. Removal of unnecessary clutter i.e. papers, magazines, used drink bottles, etc.
9. Each stop/debus, vehicle interior and exterior touch points to be cleaned if possible,.  As a minimum sanitise door handles and window/handrails inside and out.

Do the basics well and risk is significantly reduced. Think safe, be safe and all parties including the client will benefit.