Two Passengers On Separate Cherry Capital Airport Flights Test Positive For Coronavirus

Two passengers on separate Cherry Capital Airport flights have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department reported that a resident who tested positive for coronavirus flew out of Cherry Capital Airport on Wednesday, July 1 between 12:45pm and 2pm. Passengers on Allegiant Air Flight 516 from Traverse City to Phoenix, Arizona are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms.

A Chippewa County resident also tested positive for coronavirus who flew into Cherry Capital Airport on Wednesday, July 1. Passengers who were on the Allegiant Air Flight 994 from St. Petersburg, Florida are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms. "The health department reminds everyone not to travel if ill or if you have had contact with someone that has been sick," the Chippewa County Health Department wrote in a release. "All community members should practice social distancing, wear a mask in public settings, and wash hands frequently."

Allegiant Air has recommended - but not required - passengers to wear masks up until Thursday, when the policy changed. The airline now requires passengers to wear masks or they are not allowed to fly (with the exception of small children and some passengers with certain medical conditions). However, that policy change was not in place during either of the Wednesday flights into and out of Cherry Capital Airport. Allegiant Air has been requiring all crew members to wear masks and says it uses heightened sanitation methods and an air filtration system that changes cabin air every three minutes to reduce the risk of coronavirus spread.