2022-01 · NASA ASRS report 1866959
Center Controllers reported issues relating to COVID cleaning.
It has become a common occurrence that when an underlying TRACON has a COVID positive case; that they go ATC-0; during a busy time period during the day; instead of waiting during downtime at night on the midnight shift. Today; a few hours prior to the event; we were told that ZZZ ATCT would be going ATC-0 for a COVID cleaning. Although we do work to the ground at times; we are not familiar with the ins and outs of ZZZ approach airspace. We never train on ZZZ ATCT zero during our refresher or recurrent problems in the lab. We have several controllers; including myself; who have been certified on low altitude sectors despite never having run approach control specific lab problems in the lab. And nobody seems to care. We at ZAU can clean an area during the midnight shift - we do it daily. When there is a positive case and we need to move to a different area; we do so. ZZZ ATCT has had COVID cases happen several times in the past month; and they should be able to do the same. The ATC-0 period is also scheduled during the middle of the rush. We have inadequate staffing at this facility; and to require us to take on additional airspace and operations when we are unfamiliar with the airspace is dangerous. There is also a lack of coordination and consistency regarding when the event will take place. It is as if we get the information in bits and pieces without confirmation of when the event will actually happen. There are also no TMI's initiated to reduce the workload during such a busy time. A COVID cleaning is not an emergency that should warrant a facility from going ATC-0; especially considering that the individuals at the facility are already probably exposed and contaminated. What is worse; is that despite expressing our concerns to facility management; the response is just to report it; along with statements made by management that nothing will change. If something were to happen during these ATC-0 periods because of a failure by the controller to do the job correctly - because we are overworked or not proficient - the agency will be in a tough spot trying to defend that. We have performed training during maintenance events with tech ops; where the front line ATC personnel can say we need to wait or defer a maintenance event because of traffic; workload; or safety. The same thing should be in place for these ATC-0 events; especially since it seems like these events aren't going away anytime soon. Aircraft were also reporting that the ATIS was 'P'; which should not have been getting broadcasted because there was no one there to update it. They should have made it the minute weather instead. ATC-0 events need additional coordination. ATC-0 events need to be done during non-busy periods; not during arrival rushes. Controllers need to be trained on the ATC-0 continuity plans for every facility they might have to assume airspace for; in the lab. Don't broadcast an ATIS when there aren't personnel at the facility.
Today at XX:30z; ZZZ approach went ATC-0 for a COVID cleaning. This has happened multiple times over the last few months. It was down for a total time of 3 and half hours; with the beginning starting during our busy ZZZ1 rush. We received only a few hour notice of this happening. Taking over an approach control like this is very unusual for most of the area; as unless you work a mid shift; you never really experience it. We do not cover this situation in our recurrent or refresher course either. A better time to perform COVID cleanings would greatly help. They should be performed during a slower time of day or on the mid shift; not during the evening rush. Also recurrent or refresher training specifically on this would help.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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