7th TSA Agent Working at Orlando International Airport Tests Positive for COVID-19
As the COVID-19 virus continues its spread across the United States, we have to report the news that it was just confirmed that a 7th TSA agent stationed at Orlando Internationa Airport (MCO) has tested positive for the virus.
This comes hot on the heels of the news we shared yesterday that a 6th agent had tested positive. This first game to our attention by a tweet posted by Darlene Jones with WFTV check it out:
Orlando International Airport Director now says 7 TSA employees have tested positive for #COVID19 #coronavirus #wftv
— Daralene Jones (@DJonesWFTV) March 28, 2020
The news was apparently shared directly by the Airport Director at Orlando Airport. As of going to print no further details regarding this 7th case have been released to the public.
What we do know is that when the announcement of the 5th case emerged earlier in the week, WESH, reported that the union representing TSA workers is lashing out at management saying that it failed to protect its employees by providing them with protective gear including surgical masks.
As we reported here at MickeyBlog, additional reports are surfacing that TSA agents are failing to show up for shifts. A spokeswoman from the TSA emailed WESH to say that they have implemented a new leave policy authorizing employees to take leave for up to 14 days thus allowing them to assess their health status. The spokesperson added that this applies to all employees whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. Furthermore, workers will not be required to use accrued annual or sick leave during this period.
Though this new policy raises obvious concerns about security and staffing at Orlando International Airport, the TSA said that it will be working in conjunction with local leadership at airports to adjust screening procedures and to ensure that security is not compromised. It should be noted that this could result in longer security lines for those flying out of MCO in the weeks to come.
In the meantime, air traffic is hopefully starting to minimize at MCO with the news that Walt Disney World is close for the foreseeable future and along with Governor DeSantis’ stay at home order which went into place earlier this week.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for the latest Disney-related news and updates.