KIA halts cargo operations as 2 turn Covid-19 positive

BENGALURU: Cargo operations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) were halted on Thursday morning after at least two employees contracted the coronavirus infection in three days.
The air cargo complex, spread across Menzies Bobba and Air India SATS buildings, has been sealed for two days for sanitisation. The operations are expected to resume on Saturday morning.
An executive assistant in the administrative wing of the Bangalore customs unit (cargo), tested positive on Monday, according to an airport official, who didn’t want to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Following the positive report, staff working on the ground floor of the cargo complex underwent tests and were quarantined. On Wednesday, a customs officer turned positive. All employees were then isolated and the two buildings that also have several other offices were sealed.
The official said more than two employees had tested positive, but this could not be verified. All the affected staffers are in a stable condition.
Two facilities — the shed for import-export articles, goods assessment and courier service and the unaccompanied baggage section — are functioning with minimal staff. Earlier, KIA officials had set the airconditioning at a warmer temperature, especially in the arrival bays, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 after many staffers, including a duty doctor and health volunteers, tested positive.