At least 16 passengers on a flight from Greece to Wales carrying “selfish ‘covidiots’ and an unscrupulous crew were independently checked for COVID-19 and about 200 people in two weeks, according to reports.
Passengers told the BBC that the Germany-based TUI flight – which flew from 253 Zante Island to Cardiff with 193 passengers and seven crew members – was a “vague” and “free for all” passengers.
Health authorities said seven people from three different parties are believed to have been infected with the virus since morning on the plane.
“It simply came to our notice then. My next infection was his mask in his throat. Passengers Stephanie Whitfield told the BBC the airline not only pulled over her, they offered her a free drink.
“A lot of people were taking off their masks and wandering up and down the aisle to talk to others,” he said.
“People took off their masks as soon as the flight landed. The flight was full of selfish ‘covidiots’ and incompetent crew who couldn’t care less, ’Whitefield said on BBC Radio 4’s“ Today ”show.
She said she noticed a flight attendant telling a woman to put on her mask, “but most people haven’t been spoken to.”
Whitefield said she and her husband decided to separate themselves before they even became aware of the positive cases, adding that they were being investigated because they were experiencing mild symptoms.
Other passengers, Victoria Webb, said she only found out about the outbreak when her mother sent her a link to a BBC piece while she was traveling from Cardiff to London.
“I was shocked and a little hurt because what was the best course of action when I was halfway through the journey,” Webben told the BBC.
“I spoke to the train manager who was anxious but professional and finally after discussing it with his head office, I was moved to a train where I was alone for the rest of the journey.”
“We also exchanged details so I could report it when my test result came back,” Vereben said, adding that she had not been contacted by health officials.
“Contact forms are to be used and the conversation should be fast and thorough so that we know that the process is being followed and its effectiveness can be measured.”
Passenger Lee Evans described the chaotic scenes at Zante Airport, where he said staff handled passengers ’mobile phones to check boarding passes.
“It was free for all to ride in the plane,” he told the BBC. “There were people changing seats.”
When crew members mentioned the need to wear masks, Evans added, “There wasn’t much in terms of policing what customers were doing. [airplane]”
He also said that he and his family received an email instructing them to self-isolate – about a week after the flight.
“Someone needs to be held accountable,” he told the BBC.
On Monday, TUI said in a statement: “Passengers are informed before and during the flight by the PA’s announcement that they are to wear a mask and are not allowed to move around the cabin.
“Masks can only be applied when eating and drinking.”
Public Health Wells Outbreak Response Director Dr. Giri Shankar told Sky News that all passengers were “absolutely” at risk of contracting the disease.
“We consider close contact of confirmed cases to all passengers and crew on the flight,” he told the outlet. “We now know that seven of the 16 confirmed cases on that plane were potentially contagious while they were flying.”
A TUI spokesman said the airline was “concerned” about the passengers’ claims.
“Our crew is trained to the highest standards and guidelines of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),” he told Sky News.
“A full investigation is now underway because these concerns were not reported during the flight or earlier today.”
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