Date: 202004
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Other Holding Pattern
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Second aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Workload
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Contributing factors: Weather; Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Weather over ZZZ and all of the arrivals were still coming in. ZZZ shut off the ZZZZZ arrival and all aircraft were being routed over the ZZZZZ1 arrival. Area 1 was getting saturated with holding; so I began to hold several aircraft. TMU (Traffic Management Unit) came by and said it should be no more than 15 minutes; the aircraft kept coming and Area 3 offered to hold one. The aircraft were complaining about the location of the hold; even though it was clear of weather it was far away from the only arrival gate that would be opened. They kept wanting to move closer. I held all aircraft at ZZZ VOR since it was a central point. TMU then came down and said they will take the aircraft 20 MIT [Miles In Trail]. As I started to line them up they came and said they will take them on vectors through the SW corner. So I was rerouting the first 3 aircraft and they were getting confused since it was a rapid change of plan. As I was advising the next aircraft; they called back and shut me off after the first 3. All of the aircraft were at or near the EFC (Expect Further Clearance) time and were all stepping on each other wanting to get a game plan. Some were on vectors for sequence some were still in the hold. I missed several point-outs to adjacent sectors because I only PVD [Plan View Display] the aircraft; and didn't specify what they were doing. The lack of communication between sectors; between TMU and ZZZ with a rapidly changing game plan was hard to follow. Luckily there wasn't a loss. I am working mids because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I haven't done a mid with ZZZ arrivals; and holding and weather reroutes in several years. Because of social distancing I didn't want to call for a D-side; and felt that once they told me the first time they were accepting arrivals I was good to go; but once they changed the plan; I needed some help quickly. Thankfully Area 3 was holding an aircraft; and separated several conflictions for me.No recommendations. Its an unusual time; with unusual flow; unusual crews working traffic they are not used to. Luckily it all worked out 'safely.'




Synopsis: Center Controller reported holding several aircraft due to weather at intended airport; interacting with TMU; lining aircraft up 20 MIT; then after the first three aircraft the Controller was told to hold remaining aircraft.  Controller reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic he did not call for D- Side help because of social distancing concerns.