Baggage handlers test positive for COVID-19 at Adelaide Airport

Business people standing at baggage claim in airport.
By Christian Fleetwood


Six Qantas baggage handlers at Adelaide Airport have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now receiving treatment.

Around 100 other baggage handlers are now being investigated, with a large number expected to be forced to self-isolate for 14 days.

Qantas said it is working to minimise any disruptions to customers who are flying in and out of Adelaide, although passenger numbers are significantly reduced due to government travel restrictions.

“Seven flights to and from Adelaide are affected,” a Qantas spokesperson told Travel Weekly.

“This includes one Sydney flight that was on its way to Adelaide which will return to Sydney and passengers will be provided with accommodation and put on alternative services [on Wednesday].”

Qantas said it was working closely with SA Health to conduct a thorough trace for each of the confirmed cases.

“In addition to enhanced cleaning measures introduced since the coronavirus outbreak at airports and on aircraft, we are conducting extensive cleaning of common areas used by these employees in Adelaide.”

South Australia’s chief public health officer, Nicola Spurrier, said on Tuesday that she recommended for anyone who travelled through the airport over the past few days to wipe their luggage.

There were no concerns for other areas of the airport.

“We do know that the virus can survive on hard surfaces,” Professor Spurrier said, as reported by ABC News.

“This is a serious situation … We’ve met with Qantas and we’re looking at implementing some workarounds to ensure baggage can be off-loaded.”

Transport Workers Union wants assurances

It comes nearly a month after an inspection by Safework NSW found Qantas was potentially putting its staff at risk of catching COVID-19 due to inadequate cleaning processes on aircraft.

At the time, the inspector said they observed aircraft cleaners required to handle “wet and used tissues, used face masks and soiled nappies” with workers also advising they occasionally have to clean vomit and blood off surfaces.

The Transport Workers Union’s (TWU’s) national secretary, Michael Kaine, said there has been a “fundamental problem” with how Qantas has handled this issue from the start, which has left workers “exposed to risks”.

“Qantas is acting like a corporate bully, refusing to listen to its workers concerns about safety and putting them and their passengers at risk,” Kaine said in a statement.

“It needs to listen to its workers right across Australia and ensure their safety.”

The TWU said it wants to know how and when news of the six infected baggage handlers became apparent to Qantas and what steps were taken to minimise risk to other staff.

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