Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION

AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Item No.

BRIEFING ITEM

Date of Meeting

July 28, 2020

DATE: July 21, 2020

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: Lance Lyttle, Aviation Division Managing Director

Julie Collins, Aviation Customer Experience

SUBJECT: FlyHealthy@SEA Briefing

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This briefing will provide an update on the health and safety actions in response to COVID-19 that

have been implemented, and are under consideration, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

(SEA). Since late April, SEA has been executing a multi-layered recovery plan, called

FlyHealthy@SEA, involving collaboration with airport stakeholders to restore customer

confidence in travel throughout the airport. Airport staff will also outline the work to explore

implementation of an interim temperature check testing program at SEA as directed in the May

Port of Seattle Commission Motion (2020-11).

BACKGROUND

The unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the travel industry, and specifically in the aviation

sector, are widely reported. The airport plays a vital role in the national and international travel

ecosystem as well as serving as an essential hub of economic activity and job creation in our

region. As a primary economic driver in Washington state, our highest priority is ensuring the

health and safety for people at the airport.

Since hitting a 95% drop in passenger volume in April 2020 compared to April 2019, we are seeing

a gradual return of travelers at SEA. For comparison, on July 16, 2020, the Transportation

Security Administration (TSA) measured a 73% drop in passenger volume through the security

checkpoints compared to the same day in 2019. In April, we saw a low of 2,500 passengers per

day travelling through the checkpoints and our current average is between 17,000 – 19,000

passengers per day, excluding passengers connecting in Seattle. We are heartened to see this

improvement and the positive reactions many customers have had to the health and safety

changes in the terminal. However, given the many medical uncertainties that remain around

COVID-19 and the evolving health guidance, we are extremely sensitive to the many complexities

involved in restoring confidence in air travel and the very lengthy recovery ahead.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 7b Page 2 of 6

Meeting Date: July 28, 2020

Template revised September 22, 2016.

TERMINAL ACTIONS TO-DATE:

Significant changes have occurred throughout the terminal, based on health guidance from the

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), to improve the travel experience. These include:

• Cleaning: The immediate focus in response to COVID-19 was an enhanced emphasis on

the cleaning of high-touch points throughout the terminal. This increased level of

janitorial attention is ongoing. The airport also installed over 250 hand sanitizers

throughout the airport and the locations are easily viewed on the SEA App. Additionally,

the airlines have also been proactively installing hand sanitizers in their preferential

spaces. We’re currently testing new tools for air and surface sanitizing and collaborating

with TSA for increased cleaning protocols at the security checkpoints.

• Physical Distancing: Over 3,000 signs, floor decals and seat stickers have been applied in

the common areas around the airport to provide reminders for physical distancing. By

the end of July, SEA will add an additional 4,000 physical distancing stickers to seats in the

gate hold rooms. We’ve adjusted security screening queue lanes to create more space

between passengers and seats have been removed in the food service areas to provide

more distance. Also, SEA installed 180 plastic protective barriers in areas where there is

close staff proximity to the public, such as at common use ticket counters, TSA podiums

and information desks. Airlines are examining their use of additional plastic barriers

throughout the terminal.

• Facial Coverings: Airport staff have implemented the requirement for facial coverings in

all public areas of the terminal that went into effect on May 18

. The Port’s facial

coverings requirement has been further reinforced by subsequent actions from King

County and Governor Jay Inslee. On July 1st, the airport launched a positive customer

engagement campaign called “Mask Up SEA” to emphasize the facial covering

requirement. We currently estimate the compliance level has improved to around 95%.

• Communication: From the earliest days of COVID-19, the Port’s web site has been a go-

to resource for health and airport information. This commitment continues with the

utilization of all Port communication tools to help inform the travelling public including:

a weekly FlyHealthy@SEA electronic newsletter, extensive media coverage, proactive and

responsive social media, the SEA App, the Port’s bi-weekly Connections electronic

newsletter, blogs, paid advertising, and participating in forums such as one recently held

by the Puget Sound Business Journal. In the terminal, we’re conveying health and safety

visual messages through: the flight information displays, ticket counter and kiosk

monitors, and plentiful signage. Orally, we’re providing information via overhead

announcements (in multiple languages), through in-person assistance at the information

desk and by telephone.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 7b Page 3 of 6

Meeting Date: July 28, 2020

Template revised September 22, 2016.

HEALTH SAFETY SCREENINGS:

At the May 12

Commission meeting, a motion was approved directing staff to “Develop a plan

to facilitate temperature screenings for passengers departing through TSA checkpoints and those

who have been cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after an international arrival.” The

motion stated the need to collaborate with local and state public health officials. Airport staff

have been working diligently to explore the implementation of an interim temperature check

program at SEA. Here is the current status:

• Context: When the commission motion was approved in May, there were strong

indications that a federal agency, such as TSA, would likely provide consistent national

management of a long-term temperature check program. Since mid-May, not only have

temperatures become a less consistent indicator of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, but

TSA has indicated it has no plans to assume this responsibility.

• Temperature Check Testing: A substantial focus for this work has been understanding

how a temperature check program would work in the airport environment. We

evaluated equipment options and, in addition to borrowing equipment from Paine Field,

the Port purchased 2 telethermographic devices. In mid-June, we tested this equipment

in the Federal Inspection Station (FIS) in the South Satellite with voluntary temperature

checks for arriving international passengers. We learned about the sensitivities of the

equipment and received positive customer feedback about the process. About 1400

passengers participated in these tests and no elevated temperatures were detected. On

July 14

, we began a two-week “proof of concept” temperature check test in the main

terminal at Checkpoint 5. This test, in cooperation with Alaska Airlines, is also voluntary

and no personal information is collected. The tests run on weekdays from 9 a.m. – 1:00

p.m. with about 700 people tested each day. This “proof of concept” testing is vital to

further test equipment efficiency, to measure passenger flow impacts, to understand

staffing needs and to gauge passenger receptivity.

• Health Partners: The Port recognizes the necessity of health partnerships, particularly

in taking action if a person has an elevated temperature, since this falls outside the Port’s

authority. While airlines do have the authority to prohibit a person with an elevated

temperature from flying, the airline industry is strongly on record in preferring a

consistent, national system for health screenings and administered by a federal agency

like the TSA. In discussions with the CDC around screenings for international passengers,

the agency was clear they do not have resources to expand beyond their current

targeted health screenings. The CDC declined direct participation in a mandatory

program for all arriving international passengers. We have had collaborative discussions

with the State Department of Health and the Seattle-King County Department of Health

around the protocols involved with health screenings for domestic passengers. While

neither health agency can provide the resources to help administer a temperature check

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 7b Page 4 of 6

Meeting Date: July 28, 2020

Template revised September 22, 2016.

program at SEA, there is interest at the state level around having temperature checks

for airline passengers.

• Staffing Costs: Since the FAA policy prohibits airports from spending airport revenues

on non-airport functions (and the agency informally asserted early in the pandemic that

passenger health screenings are not an airport function), the Port intends that the

funding for such an interim program will come from general purpose tax levy funds.

Early estimates are that it will require 4-5 people per screening station (one at each of

the five main terminal checkpoints and another in the FIS) to facilitate temperature

check screenings for departing domestic passengers and arriving international

passengers. The Port issued a Request For Proposals for a medical staffing company to

perform these functions and staff is currently assessing the responses in order to

estimate the costs for such a program. Since this is still an active procurement, staff

cannot publicly discuss the details of the responses.

PROGRAM OPTIONS:

There are several options Port Commissioners may consider for advancing a health screening

temperature check program at SEA. Given the various authority limitations around mandatory

health screenings at U.S. airports, there are possible legal risks. Also, commissioners may wish

to move staff’s the staff’s focus from health screenings for elevated temperatures to the

potential of rapid COVID-19 tests. Here are three alternatives around temperature check

screenings:

Alternative A: The Port conducts “random” temperature check screenings to serve as a deterrent

for people travelling who have a temperature. Since the Port does not have the authority to

prohibit even sick persons from boarding the aircraft, these screenings would be essentially

informational in nature. Conduct the program through 2020. Assess the results and determine

whether to extend into 2021.

Pro: -Provides a deterrent to sick travelers to come to the airport with a temperature

-Increases airport knowledge about testing protocols that could inform future federal

health screening programs

-Potential for deterring a passenger with a temperature from flying

Con: -Cost impacts for tax levy

-Uncertainty around ongoing airline participation

-Lack of follow-up action if a passenger has an elevated temperature

This is not the preferred alternative.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 7b Page 5 of 6

Meeting Date: July 28, 2020

Template revised September 22, 2016.

Alternative B: Move forward expeditiously to establish a mandatory health screening

temperature check program at SEA for departing domestic passengers and arriving international

passengers. Conduct the program through 2020. Assess the results and determine whether to

extend into 2021.

Pro: -The first comprehensive temperature check program at a large hub U.S. airport

-SEA can share its lessons with other airports and the federal government in developing

long-term health screening programs

-It may prevent a person with a temperature from traveling

Con: -Lack of commitment from health partners to participate

-Higher cost impacts for tax levy

-Potential for the federal government to require airports to assume an unfunded mandate

-Requires airline cooperation since Port cannot itself prevent a contagious passenger

from travelling

This is not the preferred alternative.

Option C: Implement a second phase of “proof of concept” voluntary testing at each checkpoint.

Accelerate plans for the screening of international arrival passengers. Assess the progress in

November and determine next steps.

Pro: -Provides additional insights around the unique logistics for each checkpoint

-Provides time to refine staffing model and clearly understand the all-in costs for a full

program

-Provides time to better understand the federal landscape and to advocate for a

consistent, national program

-Positive passenger receptivity

-Provides time to work with airlines to develop a cooperative program for responses to

passengers with elevated fevers

Con: -Cost impacts for tax levy

-Uncertainty around ongoing airline participation

-Lack of enforcement if a passenger has a temperature

-Cost/benefit of the program given the small number of temperatures detected

-International inbound screening is not increased beyond current levels

This is the recommended Alternative.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 7b Page 6 of 6

Meeting Date: July 28, 2020

Template revised September 22, 2016.

NEXT STEPS:

• Airport staff will finalize an initial cost estimate range for staffing a temperature check

program and other costs with general tax levy implications;

• Airport staff will be prepared to advance an action item at the August 11

Port

Commission meeting to delegate authority to the Port’s Executive Director to enter into

a contract with a medical staffing company;

• Airport staff will keep commissioners apprised of conversations in securing interest from

potential health partners around some form of a temperature screening program at SEA;

• Airport staff will keep commissioners apprised of federal actions under consideration

such as a second pandemic relief package and other legislative and agency

developments;

• Airport staff will prepare for ongoing commission meeting presentations regarding future

actions related to FlyHealthy@SEA, health and safety responses to COVID-19 and

restoring confidence in air travel.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING

Presentation Slides

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS

May 12, 2020 – Port of Seattle Commission briefing on Airport Recovery (FlyHealthy@SEA)

May 12, 2020 – Commission Motion 2020-11 (A Motion to direct the Executive Director to

develop and implement a plan for health screening of travelers at Seattle-Tacoma

International Airport, and to advocate for a national system of airport health screening.)

April 28, 2020 – Port of Seattle Commission briefing on Early Action Recovery Plan

April 28, 2020 – The Port Commission approved Motion 2020-09 (A Motion to authorize

short-term changes to the 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Plan in response to the

COVID-19 pandemic)

April 14, 2020 – Port of Seattle briefing on Federal CARES Act Update

April 1, 2020 – The Commission approved Motion 2020-06 (A Motion to provide guidance for

Port leadership in prioritizing Port investments to assist local, regional, and statewide

economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.)

April 1, 2020 – The Commission approved Motion 2020-07 (A Motion to provide immediate

relief and support to Port employees and Port tenants and concessionaires.)