As passenger numbers rebound at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP), the Airport Foundation MSP is making plans to bring back several highly valued services starting Monday, June 29.
Travelers Assistance program back in the booths
The Airport Foundation MSP coordinates the Travelers Assistance program, which includes the volunteers who staff the information booths around the airport.
The program was suspended in March to ensure the volunteers’ safety as the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect the airport. With safety measures now in place, the volunteers are eager to help travelers once again.
Some changes you might notice are Plexiglas shields at the booths, volunteers wearing facemasks and only one volunteer per booth. As a reminder, travelers are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings at all times within the airport to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Most airlines require face coverings for their passengers, as well.
Arts@MSP restarts live music and installs new exhibit
Music lovers will be happy to hear that live performances are also returning to Terminal 1 starting on June 29. Musicians will perform from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. – currently one of the busiest time frames at the airport – with social distancing practices in place.
The schedule for the week is as follows:
6/29 - Heidi Nasby (North mall area)
6/30 - Jim Stevens (North mall area)
7/1 - Joel Shapira (South mall area)
7/2 - Nate Hance (North mall area)
7/3 - Holly Nelson (South mall area)
Learn more about the individual performers here.
Future performances will be announced as they are scheduled.
On Monday, June 22, a new art exhibit, “Project Bike Retrospective,” will open in the Thomson Reuters Concourse C Art Gallery. More than 50 works of art by 12 Minnesota artists will be featured in the show.
Animal Ambassadors to brighten your day
The always-popular animal ambassador teams are also returning to MSP on June 29.
Currently they are scheduled each day, Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3, from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. and 12 p.m -2 p.m.
For everyone’s safety, travelers will notice the following adjustments at the Animal Ambassador stations:
- Retractable belt stanchions will be added to ensure social distancing; a queue will form if the line of visitors gets long
- Travelers and staff must wash their hands prior to petting the therapy animal. A portable hand-washing station will be available
- Only one visitor at a time may interact with the animal
- Some of the volunteer handlers may choose to provide a “touch-less” visit, where travelers can watch the dog do tricks and/or observe the dog without petting them
Stop by and say hi!