Coronavirus: Cases on Tui flight from Zante to Cardiff

The passengers arrived in Cardiff from the Greek island of Zante on Tuesday

All passengers who were on a flight to Wales from a Greek island have been told to self-isolate after some on board tested positive for coronavirus.

Health officials say seven people from three different parties on Tui flight 6215 from Zante to Cardiff on Tuesday have tested positive for Covid-19.

Public Health Wales (PHW) is contacting the 193 passengers and crew on board.

It comes as a group of people from Plymouth tested positive for the virus after returning from Zante on Monday.

"Cardiff and Vale test, trace, protect and Public Health Wales have identified at least seven confirmed cases of Covid-19 from three different parties who were infectious on Tui flight 6215 from Zante to Cardiff on 25 August," said Giri Shankar of PHW.

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"As a result, we are advising that all passengers on this flight are considered close contacts and must self-isolate."

"These passengers will be contacted shortly, but meanwhile, they must self-isolate at home as they may become infectious, even without developing symptoms."

Zante is a popular tourist destination for holidaymakers from the UK

Dr Shankar, PHW's Covid-19 incident director, said any of the 187 passengers and six crew on board the three-and-a-half hour flight from Zakynthos to Cardiff Airport on Tuesday that has symptoms "should book a test without delay".

Stephanie Whitfield, from Cardiff, who was on the flight with her partner, told the BBC she was not surprised.

She said she and her husband "decided to isolate for two weeks on the flight", before they even learnt about the positive cases.

"This flight was a debacle. The chap next to me had his mask around his neck. Not only did the airline not pull him up on it, they gave him a free drink when he said he knew a member of the crew.

"Loads of people were taking their masks off and wandering up and down the aisles to talk to others.

"As soon as the flight landed, a load of people took their masks off immediately. The flight was full of selfish 'covidiots' and an inept crew who couldn't care less."

Stephanie said she and her husband had both had sent off for a test and would return it as soon as possible.

"We've got a few symptoms, but we hope it's a cold. We've had a bit of a cough, a sore throat, a headache.

"I'm angry more than anything."

There were 1,715 new coronavirus cases - and one death - reported in the UK on Sunday - the highest number since 4 June.

While no new deaths with coronavirus were reported in Wales on Sunday, 56 cases have been confirmed by PHW.

The seven cases on board the Tui flight are included in the 12 new cases reported in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board area.

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Tui said all passengers complied with Covid protocols "for the duration of their flight" including wearing face masks.

The travel operator added their aircraft have "state-of-the-art, hospital standard air filtering system", are deep cleaned after every flight and "fully disinfected at least once every 24 hours" in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines.

"The safety and well-being of passengers and crew is our highest priority and we operate in line with EASA guidelines," said a Tui spokesperson.

Cardiff Airport, bought by the Welsh Government in 2013, is Wales' busiest airport

Cardiff Airport, which is owned by the Welsh Government, said it was working closely with airlines to "facilitate passenger travel throughout this challenging time for the industry".

"Tui is taking every necessary measure following today's report, said Spencer Birns, Cardiff Airport's interim chief executive.

"Cardiff Airport is closely following guidelines set out by Public Health Wales, FCO and UK Government and has already taken a number of measures to ensure the safety and security of our team and customers, which is our number one priority."