COVID-19 Update: March 19

March 19, 3:30 p.m. UPDATE

Government Agency Updates:

1. There is a critical shortage of masks. Suppliers are prioritizing the supply of masks to health-care workers and first responders. If you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent passing the illness on to other people. If you are healthy, medical masks are not recommended as they don't provide full protection and can create a false sense of security. Visit this page for more information and frequently asked questions.

Airline Updates:

2. In response to the unprecedented and sudden impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, airline operations continue to make significant schedule changes. Check company websites for current information. We’ll post the latest updates as soon as we receive them on this Airline Update page. Also included on this page are the flights which have confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.
3. Due to an increasing number of flight cancellations, YYC is working with our airline partners to strategically park long-term aircraft with minimal impact to operations.

YYC Calgary International Airport Updates:

4. There is a national shortage of hand-sanitizing product. Please encourage your employees to use the washrooms to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds.
5. New COVID-19 virtual information session. The Emergency Response Services Department was in the middle of conducting in-person COVID-19 information sessions when things changed very quickly. Thanks to technology, Natasha Koshowski, Emergency Preparedness Manager, from the ERS team has recorded her presentation so you can watch it from your office or home. It’s important to watch the 20-minute video as Natasha answers many of the frequently asked questions you probably have. Watch here.
6. Many Food, Beverage and Retailers are temporarily closing or reducing hours of operation due to decreased passenger volumes, staff well-being and to ensure appropriate service levels. You can find the latest updates here on teamyyc.com.
7. We’ve been getting many questions from our airline partners and on social media about our cleaning standards during COVID-19. We’ve listed everything we’re doing in this article including answering the frequently asked questions. Continue to refer to this Cleaning and hygiene at YYC during COVID-19 page to see the latest information on teamyyc.com.
8. The YYC pass office is currently open. Check the Pass Office page for the latest updates or email passoff@yyc.com with any questions.
9. All taxi and Uber drivers operating out of YYC are required to clean inside and outside of their vehicles at all customer points of contact, after each trip and only with approved cleaning products. YYC requires all drivers to practice social distancing, specifically while in the staging areas of their respective onsite facilities.
10. The YYC parking office is currently open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. We will monitor the need to remain open daily. Parking Services are operating at an adjusted staffing level during this period of decreased occupancy of the parking facilities. Currently there is one Supervisor, one Customer Service representative and one Enforcement/Maintenance officer on duty at all times. The Help button and parking hotline (403-250-7275) will always be maintained. Email parking@yyc.com for updated hours or with any questions.
11. The Employee Shuttle Bus service is reduced to one shuttle running from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Shuttle Bus daily start and end times will be reviewed regularly and are subject to change based on the most up to date flight schedules. March 31 will be the final day of regularly scheduled Employee Shuttle service.

March 19, 1:30 p.m. UPDATE

1. There is a national shortage of hand-sanitizing product. Please encourage your employees to use the washrooms to wash their hands.

Hand Hygiene

Refers to hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizing with alcoholic solutions, gels or tissues to maintain clean hands and fingernails. The most effective way is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds:

• Before and after preparing food;
• Before and after eating;
• After using the toilet;
• After coughing/sneezing into a tissue (or if non- compliant with respiratory etiquette);
• Before and after using a surgical/procedure mask and after removing gloves;
• After handling body fluid-contaminated waste or laundry;
• Whenever hands look dirty.

Touching one's eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands should be avoided even with gloves on.

2. There is a critical shortage of masks. Suppliers are prioritizing the supply of masks to health-care workers and first responders.

• The World Health Organization, Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Health Services continue to communicate the appropriate use of masks. We urge you to comply with the public health agencies to ensure those that actually need masks are able to procure them. As per Alberta Health Services:

• Masks can be very important in certain situations. When sick, wearing a mask helps prevent us from passing illnesses on to other people. This is why we ask people who have a cough or respiratory symptoms to wear a mask and wash their hands when visiting an emergency department or clinic.
• If you are sick, wearing a mask helps prevent passing the illness on to other people.
• If you are healthy, medical masks are not recommended as they don't provide full protection and can create a false sense of security.
• Frequent and thorough hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and avoiding touching your face, nose or mouth remain the best evidence-based ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
• N95 masks (respirator masks) require special fitting and testing in order to be effective. We strongly recommend against members of the public using N95 masks, as they can make it more difficult to breathe for some individuals, especially those with chronic breathing problems. They provide little, if any, benefit to members of the public, beyond that provided by a procedure mask.
• For more information and frequently asked questions, please refer to: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/ppih/if-ppih-ncov-2019-public-faq.pdf

3. Alberta Health Services has an online COVID-19 Screening tool. This will assist with the influx of calls that Health Link 811 is receiving.

• You do not need to be tested for COVID-19 if in the past 14vdays you have not travelled outside Canada or have not had contact with someone diagnosed as having COVID-19.
• The symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough and other cold or influenza-like symptoms. The online screening tool will determine whether you need to call 811 to get tested.
• If you are awaiting COVID-19 test results, please do not call Health Link. You will be called directly. It can take up to four days to receive results.
• You do not need to be tested for COVID-19 if in the past 14 days you have not travelled outside Canada or have not had contact with someone diagnosed as having COVID-1
• The Online Screening Tool can be found here: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Journey/COVID-19/Pages/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx

4. Please visit the following websites if you have further general questions about what COVID-19 is, how it is spread, or how many cases there are in the world at present. You can call Health Link 811 if you have additional questions about what you need to do to protect yourself and your family against getting a COVID-19 infection.

• Alberta Health: alberta.ca/covid19
• Public Health Agency of Canada: canada.ca
• World Health Organization: who.int

“It’s not enough that we do our best, sometimes we have to do what’s required.” – Winston Churchill. Let’s all do our part to heed the recommendations from our public health agencies and support our health care workers and first responders in the fight against COVID-19.

For any other questions, please email emergency@yyc.com