By Ethan Ready

YXS taking preventative measures

Different atmosphere between YVR and YXS in midst of coronavirus outbreak

Jan 28, 2020 | 4:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – While Canada’s Minister of Health has stated risk of illness as a result of the coronavirus to Canadians remains low, Prince George Airport has been working to prepare for a possible worst-case scenario.

Over the past few weeks, the Prince George Airport has installed a number of additional hand sanitizer stations and signage as forms of preventative measures.

Concerns of the coronavirus don’t appear to be present with travellers coming through YXS.

“Our CEO just came back from Vancouver and it was a completely different story at the YVR. He says the majority of people were wearing masks. Just a bit of a different atmosphere here with us being a secondary airport,” said Lindsay Cotter, Communications Manager with the Prince George Airport Authority.

With the news of a presumptive case of the virus in B.C., officials at Prince George Airport are keeping a watchful eye on the situation, but, with Prince George not being a direct entry point to China, a screening unit is not set up at YXS.

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In the event of a case coming to our region, steps would be directed from all levels of public health officials, but at this point, everything put in place is mainly for preventative measures.

According to the CDC the virus can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, however, this is more common to people with cardiopulmonary disease, people with weakened immune systems, infants and older adults.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health along with Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, say that it is not necessary for the general public to take any special precautions beyond the usual measure taken to prevent common respiratory viruses during the winter period. Regular hand washing is recommended, cough and sneeze into elbows, dispose of tissues appropriately and avoid contact with sick people.