The transport union says Qantas 'continually downplayed' coronavirus risks as hundreds of staff are forced into quarantine to contain an infection cluster but the airline has called it a 'misrepresentation'
The transport union is pushing for an investigation into a Qantas-linked coronavirus cluster at Adelaide Airport that has forced hundreds of staff into quarantine.
“Qantas has serious questions to answer over how it has handled the exposure and spread of the virus among its staff and into the community,” he said in a statement. "Instead of directing workers who had been in contact with that worker to self-isolate, Qantas directed staff to continue coming to work."
South Australia chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier says the virus may have spread to other Qantas operations.“It’s really disappointing to see the TWU wilfully misrepresenting the situation at Adelaide Airport to drive their own agenda,” a Qantas spokeswoman told SBS News. The airline said staff impacted by the directive included cabin crew, pilots, customer service staff, engineers and baggage handlers. Qantas will reportedly push for government assistance should Virgin receive rescue package
The airline has said the employee was stood down after spreading misinformation about the safety of working on flights from China.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Union urges Qantas to extend COVID-19 sick leave to stood-down cabin crewQantas defends its decision not to allow cabin crew who contracted COVID-19 after being stood down access to their accrued sick leave entitlements, arguing there is no job for them to be sick from.
Read more »
Government considers subsidised Qantas and Virgin domestic flightsThe federal government is considering underwriting domestic flights operated by Qantas and Virgin Australia to maintain air links between capital cities, following sharp capacity cuts by the carriers | pwhatch
Read more »
Coronavirus live updates: Three more Australians die from coronavirusCoronavirus live updates: Three more Australians die from coronavirus; Victoria's lockdown extended; Queen ...
Read more »
Union urges Qantas to extend COVID-19 sick leave to stood-down cabin crewQantas defends its decision not to allow cabin crew who contracted COVID-19 after being stood down access to their accrued sick leave entitlements, arguing there is no job for them to be sick from.
Read more »
Coronavirus updates LIVE: Global COVID-19 cases surpass 1.8 million, Boris Johnson leaves hospital and says 'things could have gone either way'Follow our live coverage as a rescue flight bringing almost 200 Australians home from Cambodia touched down in Sydney this morning, with its passengers to start 14 days of mandatory quarantine in city hotels | MWhitbourn
Read more »
Coronavirus updates LIVE: COVID-19 cases surpass 1.8 million globally, Australian death toll climbs to 61Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has encouraged Australians to start planning domestic holidays, suggesting local travel restrictions will be lifted before flights abroad are made available. Live blog:
Read more »