Detroit Metro Airport will accept flights from China during coronavirus outbreak

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published Feb. 4, 2020

Detroit Metro Airport officials announced Monday that the airport will be accepting flights from China during the coronavirus outbreak that has been confirmed in several countries across the globe.

DTW is one of 11 airports selected by the Department of Homeland Security to receive flights from China.

On Feb. 2, DHS began enforcing restrictions for all passenger flights to the United States carrying individuals who have recently traveled from China.

U.S. citizens who have traveled in China within 14 days of their arrival in the U.S. are only being directed to airports where the federal government has added public health resources to implement enhanced screening procedures.

“Our team at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is committed to assisting our federal partners in their efforts to protect the public from exposure to the coronavirus,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “Although airport staff does not conduct passenger screening, our emergency responders are prepared to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments with medical transportation and police escorts, when needed. Also, out of an abundance of caution, we’re cleaning the Federal Inspection Station—also known as the International Arrivals area—more frequently in both the McNamara and North terminals.”

Airport officials say they will provide the public with updates when necessary.

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified as the cause of the outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.