EFFORT TO STOP SPREAD
Sanitiser pumps and signage set out in terminals
CAIRNS Airport has deployed hand sanitiser and warning signs throughout its domestic and international terminals to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Far North.
It comes as health officials confirmed that a passenger who was pulled from a Virgin Australia flight at the airport on Thursday night was cleared of the fast-spreading disease.
In a statement late yesterday afternoon, Queensland Health said the man and his daughter – who were believed to have travelled from China several days ago – were assessed at Cairns Hospital, and found to have no symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
They have since been discharged from the hospital.
Virgin Australia earlier said the male passenger had “involuntarily” disembarked its flight 790 about 8pm, before being transferred to the hospital by paramedics. However a Queensland Health spokeswoman said the man had complied with authorities.
“It’s understood the man was seen to sneeze once, while boarding the plane,” she said.
She said Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service was well prepared to respond to the current international threat of coronavirus.
“The HHS is working closely with Queensland Health and the rest of the state,” she said. “We have responded to health emergencies in the past, and we will do it again.
“We will continue to keep the local community updated on confirmed cases.” Cairns Airport earlier this week was criticised by in
coming passengers for an apparent lack of disease control at its international terminal, particularly for direct flights incoming from China.
An airport spokeswoman said the airport was working closely with health authorities to ensure the health and wellbeing of all staff and stakeholders and was following all guidelines with coronavirus.
“Situations such as this are identified in our airport emergency plan and Cairns Airport is well equipped to deal with this, having previously worked closely with health authorities to support efforts for the control of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and more recently, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” she said. “Our airport emergency committee has been briefed and we will continue to take guidance from the health authorities.
“Cairns Airport has signage and public messaging in place and have deployed hand sanitiser pump packs throughout the terminals. We are continuing to work closely with the health authorities on the latest advice and precautions.”
WE HAVE RESPONDED TO HEALTH EMERGENCIES IN THE PAST, AND WE WILL DO IT AGAIN. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
UPDATED ON CONFIRMED CASES. QUEENSLAND HEALTH