Airline industry officials claim they do not have the technology to meet a demand from the Trump administration to track potential coronavirus carriers, leading to tension and threats of government fines, according to sources who spoke with CNN.
The administration has reportedly given the airlines until March 14 to comply with their demands and has threatened a fine of up to $250,000 if the deadline is not met. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has threatened to recommend the administration ground planes if the airlines do not comply.
Globally, more than 100,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus and more than 4,000 people have died in an epidemic that began in Wuhan, China.
The Trump administration has come under fire for its response to the virus, which has already killed 22 people in the U.S. The central conflict is whether or not the airlines can actually develop the technology to collect data on where passengers traveled in the previous 48 hours, especially if they have been to China, Italy, or South Korea.
"It seems they want us to do this forever, and we are pushing back," an airline official told CNN.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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