YYT Safe Travels
Posted: March 13, 2020
Updated: July 15, 2020
St. John’s International Airport Authority continues to monitor developments related to the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19. Our priority is on keeping our passengers and employees, and the general public safe. We’re in close contact with our federal and provincial government partners on this issue, including the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and are taking direction from these Authorities on this pandemic situation.
Changes to Terminal Building:
- We’re working with our contracted cleaners to enhance surface cleaning in high traffic areas and on common touchpoints
- We’ve closed the baggage area in arrivals to non-passengers to increase social distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19
- Services have been reduced at the Airport to limit exposure and ensure cleaning resources are focused on high traffic areas. This includes the children’s play areas on both the first and second floors of the Airport Terminal Building, both of which are now closed
- Screeners are on-site advising passengers arriving from outside the Atlantic Region to self-isolate for 14 days
- We’ve added public announcements in the Airport Terminal Building around self-isolating upon arrival and social-distancing at the airport
- Seating areas in many areas of the Airport have now been removed or barricaded to reduce socializing in the airport
- Effective Friday, July 17, there will be two entrances to the airport. The two entrances include the centre core door and door near the check-in/departures area
Impacts on Travel
- The government of Newfoundland and Labrador requires all travellers entering the province to fill out a declaration and an isolation plan
- Travellers arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador from outside the Atlantic Region are required to self-isolate for 14 days. See Public Health Orders for more information.
- A global travel advisory is in effect: all non-essential travel outside of Canada is to be avoided
- Flight schedules have been reduced as a result of this situation. All travellers are advised to check with their airline directly for information regarding flight status and itinerary changes
How you can ensure YYT Safe Travels
Masks
Effective July 3, 2020 anyone who comes to the airport is required to wear a mask or face covering.
In alignment with public health recommendations and Transport Canada requirements, we require everyone at St. John’s International Airport, including employees and travellers, to always wear a mask or face covering inside the terminal building. Facial coverings are an added layer of protection and are especially helpful in settings where physical distancing is not possible.
Exceptions to this requirement include: when a person is eating/drinking/taking medications; children under 2; persons who have breathing problems or are unconscious; and persons who are unable to remove the mask on their own. For more information, visit: tc.gc.ca
Transportation
Effective on Friday, July 3, we will also be limiting access to the terminal building to only passengers and airport workers to support physical distancing. Exceptions may be granted under special circumstances.
If a traveller requires assistance, only one person, wearing a mask, may go inside to help.
If you’re picking up or dropping off a passenger at the designated curbside area, please stay in your car and do not leave your vehicle unattended.
We’re working with our contracted ground transportation services, and new protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of drivers as well as passengers. The number of passengers per vehicle has been reduced, and each car is being cleaned after each passenger disembarks.
Public transportation (Metrobus Transit) is still available for passengers and employees at the Airport. Please refer directly to Metrobus Transit on schedule changes and procedures that have been implemented to keep passengers, employees and the community safe from COVID-19 (https://www.metrobus.com/covid19/).
Parking
The parking booth is currently closed.
Please use one of our express pay options upon exiting our parking lots. Sanitizing wipes have been placed near the pay-on-foot stations located in the Airport Terminal Building for passengers to wipe the machines before and after use. Please note that our pay-on-foot machines or express machines do not accept visa debit.
Use the free cell phone waiting lot at the Airport or the short term parking lot and avoid coming into the terminal building when picking up loved-ones from the airport.
In the Terminal Building
Practice physical-distancing by keeping at least two arms-length distance (2 meters) from others.
Do not come to the airport unless you are an airport worker or are travelling. If a traveller requires assistance, only one person, wearing a mask, may go inside to help.
Airport Services
As this situation evolves, the hours of operation of the food, beverage and retail services in the Airport Terminal Building are subject to change. Most concessions have temporarily closed, while others have since reopened.
To view the hours for all restaurants and shops, see: Shop & Eat
Additionally, some services have been reduced or suspended, including the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in the Departures area, and the children’s play areas.
Hygiene Practice
- Wash your hands often with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, nose with unwashed hands
- Avoid direct personal contact with people who are sick
- If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards
The Airport Authority will continue to work closely with health authorities and airport partners to monitor the situation and put procedures in place where required. The safety of our passengers, employees, and our community is our top priority.
Useful Links:
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Have a concern about something you saw/experienced at our airport? Please let us know by filling out this form: Feedback Form