Coronavirus test negative, so John Wayne Airport tower reopens

The control tower at John Wayne Airport, which was closed Friday after an employee presumptively tested positive for coronavirus, reopened Saturday, March 28, after the employee was determined not to have the illness, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The tower reopened at 6:15 a.m., FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.

Cases are considered presumptive positive until they are confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing, according to the federal health agency.

The Orange County air-traffic-control tower was listed as closed and undergoing cleaning in an FAA map showing air-traffic facilities in the country affected by the virus.

The FAA said on Friday that regional controllers were guiding airliners in and out of John Wayne. They can assist 10 arrivals each hour instead of the typical 28 during busy times. It was unclear whether there were flight delays, because travel is down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This story is developing. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.