When civil liberties are taken away, citizens get creative. Taking matters into their own hands, an entire black market with a global reach for negative COVID-19 tests has been created. Primarily, it seems the need was met in order to help individuals travel as more and more countries are requiring proof of negative tests for entry.
The Associated Press reported seven people were arrested last week for “allegedly hawking doctored coronavirus tests at Charles de Gaulle International Airport.” The individuals were charging up to $360 for a fake test. If convicted, the scammers could face up to five years in prison. Authorities were able to track the ring down after a man attempting to travel to Ethiopia with a fake test was found.
Brazilian officials arrested four tourists after they gave fake tests. In England, a man used his friend’s negative COVID-19 test and changed his name to travel to Pakistan. “You can simply get their negative test and change the name and birthdate to your own. You also put a test date on which is within the time limit required” the traveler who spoke on condition of anonymity told the Lancashire Telegraph.
You simply “download the email, change it, and then print it” the man explained of the simple process. He added he needed to falsify information because he was unable to get a legitimate COVID test to travel since he’s not an essential worker.
On Tuesday, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19 and is not currently showing symptoms.
“Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on rapid and PCR tests,” said Kirsten Allen, press secretary to the vice president. “She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative.”
Harris wrote on Twitter that she was going to continue to isolate and is showing no symptoms.
“Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted,” Harris tweeted.
Today I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines. I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.
Harris last reportedly saw President Biden at the Easter Egg Roll on April 18 before leaving for California, which she returned from on April 25.
The vice president has been vaccinated against COVID-19 and has received two booster shots, receiving the second booster on April 1.
“Yesterday I received my second COVID-19 booster shot,” Harris tweeted on April 2. “We know that getting vaccinated is the best form of protection from this virus and boosters are critical in providing an additional level of protection. If you haven’t received your first booster—do it today.”
Yesterday I received my second COVID-19 booster shot. We know that getting vaccinated is the best form of protection from this virus and boosters are critical in providing an additional level of protection. If you haven’t received your first booster—do it today.
At least three major U.S. airlines – Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines – have now said they will allow some passengers who were banned from their planes over mask violations to have their flight privileges restored – determined on a case-by-case basis.
On Wednesday, Delta released a statement saying, “At Delta, nothing is more important than the safety and security of our customers and our people. With masks now optional, Delta will restore flight privileges for customers on the mask non-compliance no-fly list only after each case is reviewed and each customer demonstrates an understanding of their expected behavior when flying with us.”
“Any further disregard for the policies that keep us all safe will result in placement on Delta’s permanent no-fly list. Customers who demonstrated egregious behavior and are already on the permanent no-fly list remain barred from flying with Delta,” the statement added.
United Airlines similarly announced it will allow passengers it banned for not following mask rules to be allowed to fly again.
“On a case-by-case basis, we will allow some customers who were previously banned for failing to comply with mask-related rules to fly United again — after ensuring their commitment to follow all crewmember instructions on board,” United Airlines said in a statement.
American Airlines will also allow passengers banned for violating mask rules “to resume travel at some point in time,” according to the company’s chief government affairs officer, Nate Gatten.
“In cases where an incident may have started with face mask noncompliance and escalated into anything involving something more serious, or certainly an assault on one of our key members or customers, those passengers are going to remain on our permanent internal refuse list and will never be allowed to travel with us again,” Gatten said.
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Mark
November 13, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Whoa
Laurre
November 14, 2020 at 8:48 am
That will work for mandatory vaccine too.