All airport employers are expected to follow appropriate public health protocols and notifications if an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
Employees who interact with the traveling public
The standard protocols are to:
- Alert the Port’s Health and Wellness staff who will investigate the potential for exposure to the traveling public.
- Update the COVID-19 Status Updates at SEA Airport page when an airport employee who interacts with the public tests positive for COVID-19. If there was no risk of exposure to the public, no public notification will occur.
- Temporarily close impacted areas for additional cleaning.
- Employees or travelers who believe they may have been in contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider.
Employees who do not interact with the traveling public
The Central Terminal construction project was previously closed for two weeks due to a report of COVID-19 and the International Arrivals Facility construction project was closed to disinfect the jobsite. In both cases, the employee had no interaction with travelers so there was no public notification.
A few Port of Seattle employees and construction contractors have tested positive for COVID-19. In these situations, the Port follows the CDC and Public Health employer guidance and the following protocols:
- Alert the Port’s Health and Wellness staff to communicate with all and all potential co-workers who could have come into close contact with the employee. Assess the risk of exposure to the public.
- Notify all impacted coworkers if applicable.
- Temporarily close impacted areas for additional cleaning.
- No notifications to the general public are made if there was no risk of public exposure.