Five TSA Officers at Orlando International Airport Test Positive for Coronavirus

in Travel, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World

Orlando International Airport

Credit: WFLA

Update 3/23/20:

WKMG News 6 reports that there are now five TSA agents at Orlando International Airport (MCO) that have tested positive for coronavirus.

“TSA confirms that a fifth Transportation Security Officer who works at Orlando International Airport has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The officer is resting at home and all TSA employees who have come in contact with the individual over the past 14 days have been informed to self-quarantine at home,” TSA said in a statement. “Screening checkpoints remain open and the agency is working with the CDC, as well as the Orange County Public Health Department to monitor the situation as well as the health and safety of all of our employees and the traveling public. We will update as more information becomes available.”

As of Monday, March 23, 2020, at least 25 TSA agents across the country have been infected with the highly contagious coronavirus.

Update 3/22/20:

WKMG News 6 reports that a fourth TSA officer at MCO has now tested positive for coronavirus.

A statement from the TSA reads

“The individual is quarantined and resting at home. TSA employees who work the same shift and may have come in contact with the officer who tested positive during the past 14 days have been alerted about the situation so that they can take action as appropriate.”

Update 3/20/20:

WFLA reports that now a total of three TSA officers at MCO have tested positive for coronavirus. The first case was reported last weekend (you can read our original coverage below) and two more cases have been reported as of Friday, March 20.

The TSA’s statement reads:

“TSA confirms today that two additional Transportation Security Officers who work at Orlando International Airport have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. One officer is resting at home and the other is receiving medical care at a hospital. TSA employees who have come in contact with the officers during the past 14 days were notified and provided direction on next steps.”

Keep in mind that this virus is contagious and it is possible that these TSA officers unknowingly infected others at MCO security checkpoints and elsewhere in the airport.

TSA officials have confirmed that MCO security checkpoints remain open. They are working with the CDC and the Orange County Department of Health to monitor this situation.

mco tsa
Credit: WFLA

Original Article:

Looks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando are closing its doors a little too late. It has been confirmed that a TSA agent at Orlando International Airport (MCO) has tested positive for the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.

A TSA spokesperson released a statement saying:

“This afternoon, after communication with the TSA Chief Medical Officer, the CDC and Orange County Public Heath Department, Federal Security Director Pete Garcia notified Orlando International Airport TSA employees that a Transportation Security Officer received an initial positive test for COVID-19. The officer is at home resting and will remain home until cleared by a doctor. FSD Garcia also identified the officers who were in close contact with the impacted officer, and has advised them to stay home and self-observe for the next 14 days.

TSA also coordinated with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and GOAA has performed enhanced cleaning of all areas where the officer worked.”

Proper measures have been taken to reiterate proper precautionary measures to other TSA employees to maintain the highest levels of safety as thousands of people continue to pass through MCO’s security checkpoint.

You can read the full statement here:

There is still no word about how many passengers came into contact with this TSA officer.

For many, MCO is the gateway to Florida. It is the airport closest to destinations like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld. It is also utilized by many looking to hit Florida’s Space Coast to see rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center, catch a cruise to the Caribbean at Port Canaveral, or do some surfing at Cocoa Beach. Not to mention the massive conferences that are also held in Orlando.

But all of those reasons for passing through MCO are now closing down for at least two weeks. Walt Disney World was the first to announce its closure along with Disney Cruise Line which sails out of Port Canaveral. Universal Studios followed, then SeaWorld, and finally Kennedy Space Center. But Central Florida’s world-class attractions will hopefully be back up and running this April.

Related: Disney World Travel Update: Guests Advised Not to Call Due to High Volume of Inquiries

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