COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          7b 
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
12th 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.


Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 7b                                  Page 2 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020 

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 18th.   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.

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 7b                                  Page 3 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020 
HEALTH SAFETY SCREENINGS: 
At the May 12th 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 14th, 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

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 7b                                  Page 4 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020 
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. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 7b                                  Page 5 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020 
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. 


Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 7b                                  Page 6 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 28, 2020 
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 11th 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.) 



Template revised September 22, 2016.