Anti - Infection Elbow - Use Toilet Doorknob On Trial
A Japanese airline is testing a new type of doorknob for in-cabin toilets as an anti-infection measure amid the coronavirus pandemic. The door can be opened and closed using one's elbow, not one's hand.
All Nippon Airways has put a toilet with the new doorknob for trial in a lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport and is asking passengers to try it out.
A user can lock or unlock the door from inside by sliding the handle with the elbow. Another handle makes it easier to push open the door using the elbow, instead of turning the lever or door knob with the hand.
ANA plans to receive users' opinions until the end of this month before deciding whether to introduce it or not.
An industry survey shows more than 70 percent of respondents are worried about possible infection when they use aircraft seats or toilets.
A woman in her 60s says she does not like touching the toilet doorknob after washing her hands, so she uses disinfectant wipes later. She says she appreciates the airline's anti-infection idea.
An official in charge of the testing program says he wants to accelerate the development so passengers will feel more at ease using toilets onboard.
