A couple in Hawaii tested positive for COVID-19 but chose to board a flight from San Francisco to Lihue.
- Wesley Moribe and Courtney Peterson were escorted by police when they arrived at Lihue Airport.
- The couple is now facing reckless endangerment charges.
- A spokeswoman for Kauai police explained that the couple knowing placed “the passengers of the flight in danger of death”.
Wesley Moribe and Courtney Peterson have been arrested after boarding a flight despite their positive COVID tests.
The couple and their 4-year-old son boarded a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Lihue even though they were aware that they posed a threat to other passengers. Coco Zickos a spokeswoman for Kauai police disclosed that San Francisco International Airport officials had specifically instructed the couple to isolate and not to travel. Ignoring this warning, Moribe and Peterson boarded their flight and landed in Lihue. Upon their arrival at Lihue Airport, police escorted the couple to an isolated room where they were detained for questioning. The couple is now facing reckless endangerment charges as Zickos explained that “They knowingly boarded a flight aware of their positive COVID-19 test results, placing the passengers of the flight in danger of death.”
Passengers who test positive for coronavirus are not permitted to fly on United.
On the website of United Airlines, they explain that you cannot fly if you test positive for COVID-19. The airline clearly warns, “If you test positive for COVID-19, you won’t be able to fly at that time and should contact your local healthcare provider. Following CDC guidelines, you will not be able to travel on United for at least 10 days after the date you tested positive and only after you have two successive negative COVID-19 results that were administered at least 24 hours apart. Once you’ve had two negative tests, we’ll re-book you with no change fees.”
Furthermore, a spokesperson for United also commented on the rules.
According to NBC News, the spokesperson shared that the health and safety of staff and passengers are the airline’s “highest priority, which is why we have various policies and procedures in place as part of a multi-layered approach to create a safer travel environment.” The spokesperson further explained, “Prior to traveling, all United customers are required to complete a ‘Ready to Fly’ checklist acknowledging they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.”
Moribe and Peterson have reportedly posted bail set at $1,000. In addition to this, the couple could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 if convicted.
