JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a new executive asking passengers flying into Florida from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Florida to self-quarantine for 14 days.
The governor said the precautions are being taken in order to reduce the spread of COVID19 from states that have had major outbreaks.
On Tuesday the Jacksonville International felt more like a ghost town than an airport as we noticed more airport staff at times than actual passengers.
There are flights going out this morning at @JAXairport although can see it’s quiet. pic.twitter.com/KJOVu320na
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) March 24, 2020
Most of the businesses closed down near the TSA checkpoint.
The Airport Gallery is shutdown, Starbucks is closed and Burger King is open, but there was hardly anyone ordering.
Greg Willis, an airport spokesperson, told Action News Jax that out of 176 total arrivals and departures scheduled, 71 flights were forced to cancel.
Tony Corocoran flew into Jacksonville from Ireland at the beginning of the month to visit his friend in Fernandina beach.
Over the last couple of weeks, he watched the coronavirus turn to into pandemic.
"Ireland is on shutdown. All school closed, colleges, clubs," Corocoran said.
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He told me his flight from Boston to Ireland was cancelled Tuesday morning after hardly anyone was on his flight and he’s not alone.
The Jacksonville International Airport reported on Tuesday they had 176 flights both departures and arrivals, scheduled to fly.
Of those flights, 71 were cancelled.
A week ago, on March 17, they had 178 flights scheduled and had only three that cancelled.
Corocoran said once he gets to Boston he’ll try to fly to London in order to get home.
“Well, hopefully, yeah that’s the plan, yes,” he said.
Most of the passengers we talked to flying out today wanted to kept their distance.
Many of them were wearing face masks and gloves for protection.
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