BA baggage handlers test positive for coronavirus
Two British Airways baggage handlers at London Heathrow have tested positive for coronavirus.
A BA spokesman said: "Public Health England has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the Covid 19 virus.
"The colleagues have been isolated and are recovering at home."
BA has not yet disclosed what other action it will be taking at the airport or what it is advising to passengers whose luggage might have been handled by the workers.
Experts believe the virus can survive on plastic surfaces for up to three days.
A Heathrow spokesman said: "The welfare of our passengers and colleagues is a top priority. A dedicated Public Health England team is operating at Heathrow to respond to any incidents at the airport, and we are working closely with them to ensure our colleagues are following their latest guidance in its entirety to protect themselves and our passengers.
"In line with Public Health England’s advice, we have enhanged thorough cleaning processes, increased the availability and provision of hand sanitisers for our colleagues and continue to advise anyone working or travelling through the airport to follow the Government’s advice to maintaing good hand hygience."
It comes after a member of staff at Travel Republic’s head office in Kingston tested positive earlier this week.
The office was closed down for two deep cleans and all 300 staff sent home. It re-opened on Wednesday.
The member of staff, who was in a back office role, is only suffering mild symptoms and it is believed she is in self-isolation at home.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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