The Malta International Airport said all procedures were followed in the case of a would-be passenger who felt unwell just before boarding a flight, and later tested positive for Coronavirus.

In a statement, MIA said it wanted to “set the record straight regarding the passenger that tested positive for Covid-19 on 16 March 2020, and the established procedure that was followed.”

Contrary to what certain media houses reported (not The Malta Independent), fumigation of the room where the said passenger was held was ordered immediately, with the actual fumigation process being carried out shortly after this room was vacated. Other areas indicated by the public health authorities were also fumigated to further minimise the risk of transmission.

The company is also taking a host of other measures, including the installation of a significant number of additional hand sanitisers, the introduction of a stepped-up terminal cleaning schedule, the introduction of heightened queue management, and internal awareness-raising campaigns, to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of employees and airport guests.

Malta International Airport would like to urge media houses, and other private individuals, to exercise prudence at this very sensitive time, which can be especially stressful for customer-facing airport employees.

Malta International Airport would like to take this opportunity to thank airport employees for their unflinching support and commitment towards service delivery, particularly the team involved in the handling of this case under the expert guidance of the public health authorities.

The Company’s absolute priority remains the wellbeing of its employees, and it promises to keep doing its utmost, in close collaboration with the authorities, to safeguard them and their families.