187 workers tested for COVID-19 at Tobago airport

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The Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) has tested 187 airport workers in Tobago after members of the public and staff members raised concerns after two Airport Authority staff members died from COVID-19, last week.

A 38-year-old male Airport Authority Estate Constable passed on May 28, followed by a 34-year-old female administrative officer who passed days later on May 30.

Following the death of both staff members, the Airport Authority issued a press release stating that steps were taken to ensure that “identified offices” were thoroughly sanitized and disinfected and contact-tracing was also initiated for primary and secondary contacts of affected persons.

The authority also announced that steps would also be taken to swab staff members for COVID-19.

Guardian Media reached out to the manager of Corporate Communications at the Airport Authority Zola Joseph for an update and she confirmed that through a collaboration with the Division of Health Wellness and Family Development, 187 staff members were swabbed for the virus.

“This figure represents employees from the Airport Authority as well as workers from Caribbean Airlines, Swissport and other stakeholder entities on the airport estate.”

As it relates to steps taken to address health and safety concerns at the ANR Robinson International Airport, she said sanitisation has been continuous.

“The authority has a continuous rigorous and robust sanitisation, disinfection and cleaning regime of every area within our airport facilities in accordance with strict international best practice health and safety protocols and as guided by the Ministry of Health.”

General manager of the Airport Authority Hayden Newton also announced that in addition to established COVID-19 safety protocols such as regular handwashing and sanitisation as well as reduced office capacity, going forward “all members of staff are mandated to wear face shields and facemasks at all times while on the compound.”

The capacity of all company vehicles was reduced to 25 per cent, or no more than two people in company vehicles at any particular point in time.

As it relates to travellers, the authority maintained that face masks are required for entry into the terminal building, which must also be worn at all times in the airport terminal.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reported a further 14 deaths to COVID-19 yesterday.

In its daily update, the Ministry also reported 546 new cases from samples taken during the period May 27th to June 2nd.

Active cases now stand at 9,817 of which 8,677 are quarantining at home.

106,587 have so far received their first vaccination doses and 1,179 have received two doses.