YOW- Ottawa, ON

COVID-19 AND AIRPORT

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is leading Canada’s public health response to COVID-19 and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for screening international passengers at Canada’s airports. PHAC continues to deem the risk of coronavirus infection of Canadians as low. 

The Government of Canada has put in place an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that applies to all travellers arriving in Canada in order to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

On March 30, 2020 at noon, the Government of Canada introduced these new domestic air transportation measures to support provincial, territorial and local efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading from travelling within Canada

  • A requirement for all air operators to conduct a health check of travellers before they board a flight within Canada or departing from Canada, based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This would include asking health questions, looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding, and recommending the traveller follow guidance from local health authorities.
  • A requirement for air operators to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms. The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19. These measures will apply to aircraft with 10 seats or more.
  • A requirement for air operators to notify travellers that they may be subject to provincial or territorial measures at their final destination.

On April 20, 2020 at noon, the Government of Canada introduced new measures requiring all air passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. When travelling by air, travellers will be asked to cover their mouth and nose:

  • at Canadian airport screening checkpoints, where the screeners cannot always keep two metres of separation between themselves and the traveller;
  • 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.

COVID-19 AND YOU

Air passengers must have a mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. 

Face mask in a circle, 'plus' sign, airplane in a circle

If you have travelled anywhere outside of Canada, you must isolate or quarantine for 14 days, it is mandatory. 

Map of Work with 14-day countdown overlay

Monitor your health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing. 

pictogram of thermometre, cough, chest

Thorough handwashing is recommended by all health agencies as the best defence against any illness. Wash your hands often.

pictogram of handwashing

Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette.

pictogram of sneezing, discarding tissue and coughing in elbow

Practice physical distancing. If you must leave home, maintain a 2-metre distance from others.

pictogram of three people standing 2 meters apart

Stay at home unless you have to go to work. Talk to your employer about working at home if possible. Go outside to exercise but stay close to home. Avoid all non-essential trips in your community.

pictogram of house and trees

COVID-19 AND YOW

The Ottawa Airport Authority is working closely with PHAC and CBSA, and are also in close contact with Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Paramedic Service for local issues and support, and will continue to do so as the health issue continues to evolve. We will ensure that our campus partners fully support the measures that are put in place. 

Transport Canada issued an Interim Order requiring all passengers and staff to wear non-surgical masks when proceeding through the security checkpoint, and while in areas where physical distancing is difficult. In support of this requirement and to do our part to contain the spread of COVID-19 to our colleagues, travellers, and other people in the terminal, the Airport Authority has mandated that, effective Monday, April 27 and until further notice, its staff wear non-surgical masks while outside the Authority’s office space, or in areas where staff congregate. The Authority is encouraging all companies that operate in the terminal to implement the same requirement.

Multiple measures have been implemented to educate and prevent the spread of infections:

  • Signage in the international arrivals area reminding travellers to inform a border service officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms; 
  • Signage throughout the terminal reminding people that handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infections; 
  • Addition of a health-screening question at the Primary Inspection Kiosks;
  • Addition of hand sanitizer dispensers placed throughout the terminal; 
  • Increased cleaning procedures/frequency of surfaces that are highly touched; 
    • Use of the Victory Complete electrostatic sprayer, which sprays EP50, in all washrooms, on baggage carts and on furniture. This method ensures effective spraying with no need to wipe, which reduces the opportunity for cross contamination; 
    • Hand wiping of all high touch surfaces, including hand rails, kiosks, and touchscreens, with EP products, including EP50 and EP66, both of which are environmentally friendly, and very effective hydrogen peroxide-based, multi-purpose disinfectant that kills 99.99% of a long list of bacteria;
  • Signage about proper handwashing posted in washrooms;
  • Suspension of our Infoguide Volunteer and Therapy Dog programs; and
  • Modified concessions hours.

What is closed until further notice:

Canada/International gate area

  • Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge
  • D’Arcy McGee’s
  • Duty Free
  • ICE Currency Exchange
  • Metalsmiths
  • Shoe Shine
  • Starbucks
  • Swissport’s Aspire Lounge
  • Tim Hortons

Transborder gate area

  • Cork and Well 
  • Duty Free
  • ICE Currency Exchange
  • Relay
  • Tim Hortons

Pre-security

  • Tim Hortons, Level 1
  • Chapel, Level 1

What is open:

Pre-security

  • Bytown Marché, Level 1
    Daily, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • ICE – International Currency Exchange, Level 1
    Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Subway, Level 3
    Daily, 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Tim Hortons, Level 3
    Daily, 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Post-security

  • Booster Juice – Canada/International gate area
    Sunday-Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
    Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 
  • Café & Vin, Canada/International gate area
    Weekdays, 5:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (or last flight)
  • Discover Ottawa – Canada/International gate area
    Daily, 4:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (or last flight)
  • Vino Volo – Canada/International gate area
    Daily, 11:00 a.m. –  last flight

Online parking reservations are suspended. The Long-term/Overheight lot (P4) is closed. Drivers who wanted to park in the Long-term/Overheight lot (P4) will be directed to park in the Parkade (P1), at economy rates.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is temporarily suspending operations at Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers March 19 until at least June 1, 2020. Enrollment on Arrival will remain operational.

COVID-19 AND FLIGHT SERVICE AT YOW

Air Canada

Serving Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver. More info

Air Transat

“We are pleased to announce the resumption of our flights and tour operator activities as of July 23, 2020.” More info

American Airlines

Operations suspended. 

Delta

Operations suspended. 

Porter

“Porter Airlines is deferring its resumption of flights until October 7.” More info 

Sunwing

“Sunwing is suspending all southbound flights between March 17th and July 31st.” More info

United

“We will temporarily suspend all flying to Canada effective April 1.” More info

Westjet

Serving Calgary, Halifax, Toronto. More info

COVID-19 INFORMATION

The most up-to-date information about the coronavirus outbreak is available through public health organizations. 

COVID-19 PRESS RELEASES FROM THE AUTHORITIES