Couple Knew They Had COVID, Took Flight Anyway

They were arrested upon arrival in Hawaii
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 2, 2020 2:55 PM CST
Updated Dec 3, 2020 7:50 AM CST
Couple Knew They Had COVID, Took Flight Anyway
In this Oct. 15, 2020 photo, United Airlines passengers wait in line to register at the SFO COVID-19 rapid testing site at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Two Hawaii residents were arrested Sunday after getting on a flight home despite knowing they were infected with the coronavirus. A spokesman for San Francisco International Airport tells the San Francisco Chronicle that the man and woman were arrested in Hawaii after taking a flight from San Francisco to Lihue. Wesley Moribe, 41, and Courtney Peterson, 46, were detained on arrival and the 4-year-old child they were traveling with was placed in the care of a family member, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Police said the couple, whose relationship to the child was not disclosed, placed other passengers in "danger of death" by taking the flight after testing positive, KHON reports. They were charged with reckless endangerment and were released after posting $1,000 bail each. The Kauai Police Department says the quarantine station at the San Francisco airport instructed the pair to refrain from boarding their United Airlines flight and isolate themselves, but they boarded anyway, reports CNN. United says it has banned the couple and is investigating the incident. (Hawaiian Airlines says air miles can be redeemed for COVID tests.)

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