News Release - June 11, 2020
Comox Valley Airport launches YQQ Ready plan to keep travelers and employees safe
Summer schedules are starting to fill in at Comox Valley Airport, as we welcomed the return of Pacific Coastal Airlines' Vancouver service and increased frequency of WestJet's non-stop service to Calgary. All of our airlines are operating under new safety protocols, to protect passengers, and flight crews.The Comox Valley Airport has remained open to support essential and humanitarian air travel, and as we begin the gradual return to normal operations one thing is certain: The impact of COVID-19 will have lasting effects on how the Airport looks, feels and conducts business throughout the terminal and facilities.
"As our travelers and employees resume our normal lives again, the new normal will look different than what we were accustomed to pre-COVID 19," YQQ acting CEO Alex Robertson said. "Keeping people safe is always our top priority at the Airport, and as people plan to come back, we want to ensure an environment that is clean, healthy and ready for business."
A comprehensive, best practices - YQQ Ready, is designed to keep passengers, and staff healthy and safe. Some of the key changes being implemented include:
- PLASTIC SHIELDS: Plastic or acrylic shields have been installed in key high-traffic areas, including ticket counters, security checkpoints, boarding gate and concessions counters
- FACE COVERINGS: The Government of Canada requires all travellers to have a removable non-medical mask or face covering large enough to cover their mouth and nose during their travel through Canadian airports and in-flight. All airport employees will use face coverings, while in public areas of the terminal.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING MARKERS: Ground markings and signs will give guidance on six-foot distancing ticket counters, boarding gates, and other common areas
- REDUCED SEATING: Seating will be reduced, blocked off or spaced apart in places like gate areas, dining areas, work stations and Main Terminal greeting sections to promote distancing
- CLEANING AND SANITATION: Staff have increased disinfection applications and products on surfaces, hand rails and buttons, and are adding more hand sanitizers throughout the Airport,
- All passengers will be asked to wear their personal face coverings while:
- at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the passenger;
- during flight when they cannot physically distance from others, or as directed by the airline employees; and
- when directed to do so by a public health order or public health official.
- Passengers should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure to help prevent crowding caused by last-minute rushing before scheduled flights
- Temperature checks may be required prior to check in, screening or boarding the plane
- Travelers should use carry-on luggage and mobile boarding passes to limit touchpoints
- Those picking up or dropping off passengers should not enter the Terminal, unless they are assisting unaccompanied minors, passengers with disabilities, or others who need assistance