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It is reported in today’s Times that travellers who airline staff believe may be infected by the Swine Flu virus will be prevented from travelling.
There is no mention in the article of any compulsion being placed upon the airlines by central government to take this course of action. The airlines seem to have arbitrarily taken it upon themselves to decide whether or not you can travel on a flight that you have paid for based upon the decision of non medically trained staff as to whether or not you may have a medical condition. If there is time apparently they have medically trained backup to double check.
Please forgive me for not being at all reassured.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic confirmed this weekend that its staff were not allowing suspected sufferers to travel. A BA spokesman said some passengers had already been turned away at check-in because they showed symptoms of infection.
“Our staff are trained on what to look out for if someone has swine flu or any other communicable disease,” said the spokesman. “The staff seek medical advice and anyone with swine flu would be advised they are unfit to travel.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said check-in staff would call in a medical team for advice if passengers were showing possible signs, such as coughing or excessive sneezing. “We would be advised by our medical experts. But advice for anyone with swine flu is that they should not travel and wait until they recover,” said a spokesman. The Association of British Insurers said cancelled holidays or postponed flights would normally be covered under insurance policies. Passengers are advised to check airline websites for advice.
Am I the only one who sees an infringement of civil liberties here? I may just be paranoid but that does not mean that I am wrong.
