COVID-19 Update – March 20, 2020
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Attention
travelers returning from an international location:
Governor
Bullock has issued a self-quarantine order for 14 days after your return.
Please notify your health department. If you're a Gallatin County resident you
can contact the health department at 406-548-0123 at your earliest convenience.
Additional Airport Information Regarding COVID-19
We
know that our passengers have questions about how COVID-19 is impacting
the airport and what the airport is doing to help protect passengers.
The safety and well-being of our passengers and employees is our
number-one priority. In an effort to ensure that passengers feel
comfortable while traveling, BZN has made several proactive enhancements
to our facility and our cleaning procedures. Below is information on
what the airport is doing, travel impacts and operational impacts.
Passenger Health Screenings:
BZN is not one of the airports being screened by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control. It is important to remember that there are no
commercial international arrivals arriving at BZN. International
passengers arriving at BZN coming from restricted countries are screened
at one of the entry airports by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Social Distancing in the TSA Line:
Working with TSA, we have made some adjustments to the lines as you
approach the security checkpoints to provide more space between lines
of passengers. In order to provide additional space between the
passengers in front of you and behind you, we ask everyone to practice
social distancing and spread out rather than crowd other passengers
nearby.
What is BZN Doing to Protect Passengers and Employees:
- Increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect
restrooms and other public areas with cleaning agents intended to kill
germs.
- Airlines have increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect aircraft and their facilities.
- For continuity of operation, The Airport Authority is separating
each department into two groups. The first group will be working the next
14 days with the second group essentially in self quarantine at home. The
two groups will reverse for the 2nd 14 days.
Dining and Shopping:
BZN’s concessions are making changes to their operations.
Concessions outside of security have reduced operating hours or are
temporarily closed. The main restaurant and gift shop inside security
will remain open at this time in order to serve our passengers and
employees who do not have anywhere else to purchase food or other
products. You will also see that tables may be rearranged and chairs
removed to maintain social distancing.
Travel Restrictions:
It’s important to be aware of the CDC's current travel advisories.
CDC recommends that older adults and people of any age with serious
chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential
travel to most global destinations. CDC also recommends that travelers
avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations.
So far we have not received any information about domestic travel restrictions.
Gallatin County Health Department
The
Gallatin City-County Health Department has opened a call center in
response to coronavirus (COVID-19). The call center is available from 8
AM to 5 PM (MST), Monday – Friday. For any questions or concerns, you
can reach the call center at (406) 548-0123. Non-English speaking
options are available. To help alleviate the volume of calls, please
consult Gallatin County Health Department
website https://www.healthygallatin.org/coronavirus-covid-19/ as well
as
DPHHS and
CDC for general information about COVID-19.
The Health Department main number (406) 582-3100 is available for all after-hours questions.
Passenger Traffic at BZN:
As airlines continue to reduce their flight schedules, BZN is
experiencing a significant reduction in passenger traffic. This week we
were down over 50% as compared to the same week in 2019. We expect to
see greater reductions next week and into the spring. However, despite
these reductions, the airport is still open and flights are still
operating.
