Date: 202102
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZZ.Airport, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Ground Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Detector: Person Dispatch
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Dispatch notified us that the release was not signed at cruise.   I immediately realized he was correct.  I added 2000 pounds operational fuel on the way to the airport and discussed this with the crew.  I planned on signing the release and talking with the Dispatch in Operations (Ops); because this is one of the last places internationally that we still go to Ops.  The van takes us through security then to Ops then to the bottom of the jetbridge.  All 3 of us had done this recently and knew of no change and in fact the 10-7 page states that we are not allowed to go through the terminal.  However; upon reaching the airport the driver brings us to the terminal; stating that this is the new procedure.  We verified on our iPads and even called Ops to verify this change.  Indeed; due to COVID; we go through the terminal.  The security was extensive; overly extensive and time consuming.  The walk to the gate is long and although we hustled; we still arrived at the jet later than desired.  I called Dispatch for the brief once arriving to the cockpit and received a standard brief which included a new release; release 2 due to ZFW increase.  I agree that was okay; but after the call; we realized the 2000 pounds I had added via app was not added; so I called the Dispatch back.  The Fueler arrived during this call and he agreed to add the extra 2000 pounds for us and I told Dispatch it was done so no new paperwork was needed.   I wondered why the Dispatcher had not included the 2000 pounds. In retrospect I should have realized something was amiss; for example; the release not being signed.  We then had discussions with Ops regarding the extra 2000 pounds; but it was all resolved.  During this time; the FO saw the dispatch release; stated it was #2; but neither of us noticed it said 'not signed' at the top; only noted that it was release 2 and that we were all fit for duty.  We had the Oceanic checklist out and looked through it; but missed the dispatch release on it.  I have been signing the release lately enroute from the hotel to the airport since we never go to Ops anymore due to COVID; except today; since this is one of the few places that we do go to Ops.  However; apparently; we don't.  A note in the 10-7; an Ops alert; or something stating this would have been helpful.




Synopsis: Air Carrier Captain reported a change in airport procedures; due to COVID-19; caused the flight crew to miss the required signing of the Flight Release.