Three TSA employees at Miami International Airport test positive for the coronavirus
Three Transportation Security Administration agents at Miami International Airport have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to federal officials.
The three screening officers — which were based at checkpoints D3, F and H — last reported to work on March 16, 20 and 22. It is unclear if coworkers who had contact with the agents that tested positive for COVID-19 were told to stay home as well.
MIA airport spokesman Gregory Chin told the Miami Herald that the work areas were immediately deep cleaned.
“The Miami-Dade Aviation Department was notified by the TSA each day that they were made aware of a positive test result, and each work area was deep cleaned that day as well,” Chin told the Herald.“
According to TSA, the agency recently began to provide eye protection and N-95 masks to its employees. Prior to that, officials offered their employees optional surgical masks. Agents have always been required to wear gloves.
“TSA remains committed to the health and safety of our workforce and is now authorizing the use of eye protection and N95 respirators for employees,” said TSA spokesman Mark J. Howell. “Employees have had the option to wear surgical masks since the beginning of the pandemic, and use of TSA standard nitrile gloves continues to be mandatory when screening an individual or their property, which adds an additional layer of protection. Any swabs utilized as part of a screening procedure [checkpoint and checked baggage] will not be reused for multiple passengers.”
This story was originally published March 29, 2020 at 8:42 PM.
