Airports And Covid: Closures And The Future Of Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on airports and the aviation industry. In May 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the temporary suspension of service at certain small airports of entry, ferry terminals, and the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program as part of its efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. These measures were implemented to ensure that all inbound travellers were assessed for symptoms of the virus. While these closures were intended to be temporary, the ongoing public health situation has resulted in ongoing reviews and adjustments to border measures.

Canada Customs closes some CANPASS airports due to COVID-19

In May 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the temporary closure of some CANPASS airports of entry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made to redirect air and marine traffic to ports of entry where the CBSA could maintain or deploy an officer presence to support the Government of Canada's objective of assessing all inbound travellers for symptoms of COVID-19.

Temporary suspension of services

The CBSA's decision to temporarily suspend services at certain small vessel reporting sites, small airports of entry, ferry terminals, and the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program was implemented on May 12, 2020, at 23:59 EDT. This included the suspension of services at a total of 126 small airports.

Impact on travellers

The temporary suspension of services impacted travellers entering Canada, who were required to wear masks and undergo a mandatory 14-day isolation, regardless of the presence of symptoms. Travellers were also required to provide their contact information and place of isolation to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to monitor and enforce compliance with the isolation requirement.

Border measures

The Government of Canada introduced border measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including prohibiting all discretionary or optional travel into the country. The CBSA remained committed to ensuring that Indigenous people could continue to move within and between their communities and access essential goods and services.

Financial impact

The closure of airports and travel restrictions had a significant financial impact on Canadian airports, including Toronto's Pearson International Airport, which lost $383 million in 2020 due to a 74% decrease in passenger numbers.

Air traffic redirected to busier ports of entry

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on airports and air travel. Airports across the United States are experiencing a drastic decline in air traffic, with some reporting up to a 90% reduction in operations. To maintain social distancing and ensure passenger safety, airports have implemented various measures, such as frequent cleaning, hand sanitizing stations, face-covering requirements, floor markings, and signage encouraging social distancing.

In Canada, the situation is similar, with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announcing the temporary suspension of services at certain small airports, ferry terminals, and border locations. Air and marine traffic are being redirected to busier ports of entry where the CBSA can deploy officers to assess all inbound travellers for COVID-19 symptoms. This measure is in line with the Government of Canada's objective to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The CBSA's decision to redirect air traffic to busier ports of entry is a strategic move to consolidate resources and ensure that inbound travellers are effectively screened for COVID-19 symptoms. By concentrating on busier ports, the CBSA can deploy additional officers to handle the increased volume of travellers and conduct the necessary health assessments. This approach helps maintain the integrity of Canada's border security while prioritizing the health and safety of its citizens.

The impact of COVID-19 on air travel has been significant, and the redirection of air traffic to busier ports is just one of the many adjustments that aviation authorities are making to adapt to the new challenges posed by the pandemic. While it is a necessary step to ensure the safety and well-being of travellers, it also underlines the ongoing struggle that airports are facing due to reduced operations and changing passenger needs.

As the pandemic continues to evolve, aviation authorities must remain agile and responsive to address the dynamic challenges posed by COVID-19. The redirection of air traffic is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the aviation industry, as it strives to balance border security, public health, and the economic viability of airports in these unprecedented times.

Ferry services between Canada and the US suspended

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the temporary suspension of services at certain border locations, including small vessel reporting sites, small airports, and ferry terminals. These measures were implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada and took effect on May 12, 2020, at 11:59 pm EDT, remaining in place until further notice.

As a result, several ferry operators independently decided to suspend ferry services between Canada and the United States. This included the suspension of the route serving Anacortes, Washington, and Sidney, British Columbia, which was originally scheduled to restart on March 29, 2022, following its annual winter shutdown. The suspension was pushed back multiple times, with the resumption date being extended to at least April 26 and then April 28, 2022, due to the closure of the Canadian border to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the United States, typically carries nearly 24 million people a year and is a vital transportation link for residents, businesses, and the economy of the San Juan Islands. Despite the suspension of international services, domestic sailings within the San Juan Islands continued as scheduled.

The temporary suspension of services at Canadian border locations will be reviewed periodically as the public health situation evolves. The CBSA remains committed to ensuring that essential goods and services remain accessible to Indigenous communities and that inbound travellers are assessed for symptoms of COVID-19.

Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program suspended

The Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program, which is available in parts of northwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba, was suspended in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RABC program allows US citizens to cross into Canada on some border lakes without stopping at a customs checkpoint. These border crossings include from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, the Northwest Angle area, and Sault Ste. Marie (upper lock system).

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the suspension of the RABC program as part of a series of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. The CBSA redirected air and marine traffic to ports of entry where officers could be present to assess travellers for symptoms of COVID-19. All discretionary or optional travel into Canada was prohibited, and travellers who were granted entry were required to wear masks, isolate for 14 days, and provide their contact information and place of isolation.

The suspension of the RABC program has had an impact on various groups, including canoeists, anglers, and property owners on lakes at the end of the Gunflint Trail. These individuals have had to enter Canada through official ports of entry, such as the Pigeon River crossing, instead of using the RABC permits that allowed them to bypass customs checkpoints.

The RABC program was initially set to resume in July 2022, with the federal government of Canada announcing that it would be reinstated for those who could provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a medical exemption. However, as of December 2024, the RABC program remains suspended, with all previously issued permits expired and no new applications being accepted. The CBSA has stated that the program will remain suspended as long as the current COVID-19 border measures are in place and continues to evaluate options to accommodate travellers in these remote areas.

Travellers required to wear masks or face coverings

In April 2020, Transport Canada made it mandatory for travellers to wear masks or face coverings in airports and on flights to and from Canadian airports. This was done to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Passengers were not allowed to board their flight unless they had non-medical face coverings. Travellers were required to wear their masks while at screening checkpoints and when they could not physically distance themselves at least six feet apart from others.

In April 2022, a Florida federal judge struck down the mask mandate, throwing the travel industry into confusion. The Biden administration called the decision "disappointing" and the Department of Homeland Security and the CDC reviewed the decision. However, some airlines, such as Delta, United, and Southwest, declared masking optional on their planes.

In other countries, masks are required in all indoor public spaces, including airports. For example, in Albania, masks are mandatory in all public areas, indoors and outdoors, and non-compliance may result in a fine. Similarly, in the United Arab Emirates, masks are required in all public spaces, and unvaccinated travellers must wear masks on planes.

In addition to mask requirements, many countries have implemented testing and quarantine protocols for travellers. For instance, Anguilla requires all visitors to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 3-5 days before arrival and to test again upon arrival and on day four. Unvaccinated visitors must also quarantine until they receive a negative test result from the arrival test.

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