Covid-19 Update and Helpful Resources for Travellers

Mar 20 2020

These are truly uncharted times as the world navigates the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). I know that many people are feeling overwhelmed with the flood of information and are concerned, especially with respect to travel. At the Saint John Airport, safety and security has always been our top priority. We believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize the well-being of our passengers, visitors, employees, tenants, partners, and the Greater Saint John community.

The Current Situation:

• As you may know, the number of countries reporting cases of COVID-19 has been steadily increasing, and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a pandemic. This means the outbreak is now considered to be worldwide.
• On March 19, 2020 the Government of New Brunswick declared a state of emergency under section 12 of the Emergency Measures Act to enhance measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

Updates for Travellers:

• The situation is fluid and we are doing our best to provide you with the most up-to-date information as the situation continues to evolve. Here’s what we know right now:
• The Government of Canada has advised all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country and has closed the borders to non-residents.
• The Government of Canada has also advised that anyone showing symptoms will not be allowed to board an aircraft destined for Canada.
• Canadian travellers are urged to return to Canada immediately.
• Travellers returning from international locations including the United States are being requested to self-isolate for 14 days after their return to Canada.
• Some domestic flights have been temporarily suspended while others continue to operate but on reduced schedules or possibly with route changes.
• The Saint John Airport remains open and operating.

Temporary measures to protect the health and safety of visitors at YSJ, include:

• Waiving the short-term parking fees to encourage people to remain in their cars in the designated areas when either dropping-off or picking-up travellers.
• Closing the YSJ Market and Duty Free Shop until further notice.
• Reducing the offerings and operating hours at Connections Bistro & Bar to comply with the province’s state of emergency measures.
• Increasing sanitization efforts throughout the airport.

In addition, all of the airport’s administrative staff are currently working from home. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for May 7, 2020, will now be virtual. More information to come.

Helpful Links and Resources for Travellers:
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with some useful links so that you can find the information and assistance that you might need in the coming days and weeks ahead.

• Arrivals and Departures at YSJ: please check our website for the most up-to-date flight information.
• Latest Information: The Saint John Airport management team remains in close contact with CBSA (border security), CATSA (passenger screening), our airline partners, and the public health authorities, and we are sharing the latest information on Twitter and Facebook as it becomes available.
• Financial Assistance for Travellers: If you need financial help to return to Canada, check COVID-19: Financial help for Canadians outside Canada. For additional information on emergency financial assistance visit travel.gc.ca.
• Information on re-booking flights: We encourage travellers to talk to your travel agent or visit our airline partner websites: Air Canada, Sunwing, Porter, and Flair Airlines.
• For the latest Canadian updates: Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website or Canada.ca/Coronavirus
• For the latest New Brunswick updates: Visit ww.gnb.ca/coronavirus

I am reassured to see the swift actions our Federal and Provincial Governments are taking to keep us safe. And I’m proud of the efforts of individual citizens and our local business community to increase social distancing to help contain the virus here in Canada. Together we will not only get through this, but I’m confident that our community and our country will respond to this challenge with courage, compassion, and kindness.

Derrick Stanford
President & CEO
Saint John Airport Inc.