By Curtis Galbraith

COVID-19

New COVID-19 restrictions start Monday at Grande Prairie Airport

Mar 25, 2020 | 6:23 PM

The Grande Prairie Airport is going to start restricting hours.

Starting Monday, commercial passenger service will be operating between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Air Terminal Building will be open during those hours to these users but closed the rest of the time.

Airport CEO Brian Grant says they have been watching the COVID-19 spread for the last 10 days.

“We’ve been waiting for the repatriation of people and the chance for them to get home. During that time, we have been working and observing our need to contribute (to controlling) the spread of the virus. We have felt now that at this time, we have provided enough service, so people were able to get home. They still can, but it’s going to be a little less convenient.”

He adds these restrictions only apply to commercial passenger service.

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“It’s designed to condense the movements into a shorter window or time period so that we’re able to better protect the public and our employees from extended hours of operations and extended hours of possible exposure to anyone who might be carrying it in the community.”

Grant says it is also difficult to maintain physical distancing when people are getting luggage or lining up for security

The airport will still be open 24/7 to all other users like medical services and charters. Grant says airport officials want to respect their essential service requirements.

He adds there were some struggles in communicating about this with the airlines as they are busy with changes, reductions, and getting people moved around.

“In consultation with them and the city, we’ve just felt that putting this window in place gives them an opportunity to serve our community on a little less frequency, but it brings stability to the schedule and to the employees and staff.”

The restrictions are scheduled to last until April 30.