GALLATIN COUNTY — More and more states are being affected by the spread of the coronavirus, and officials with the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport are starting to take notice.
“Well I think it’s important to realize in the United States, movement and travel is a way of life for all of us,” explained Brian Sprenger, the director of the airport.
But what happens at the airport when a virus outbreak threatens travel not just inside the U.S. but around the world?
“Well obviously, we’re just like any public spaces. We have concerns about the spread of COVID, but we’re doing extra things," Sprenger said.
Sprenger says as of now, they are adding and emphasizing certain things as a precaution to the possibility of an outbreak.
"We’ve got hand sanitizer throughout the terminal. We always have emphasized making sure our surfaces and restrooms are clean. So, we’re even emphasizing them more as well as our airlines are doing many of the same things inside their aircrafts," he said.
Passenger Pennie Rand decided to fly to Bozeman from Vermont.
“I figured we were going to a pretty good place in the north country where it hasn’t maybe traveled yet. But I’m not that worried. I’m not that worried at this time,” she said.
But there is one thing the possible outbreak has her worried about.
“I think more of the concern for me about traveling is the possibility of getting stranded and not being able to get back to things that I have going on back home. I think that was more of a concern than the actual virus itself,” Rand said.
But as of today, it’s normal operations at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
Currently, business as usual in terms of numbers of people flying through the airport. It’s just much more awareness on taking care of personal hygiene and making sure you’re reducing the risk by taking care of yourself.
Sprenger says the airport has not seen a financial decline yet, but has made preparations for that, as well.
