Date: 202104
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: No Aircraft
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Workload; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
Result: Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Environment - Non Weather Related

Narrative: On Date; ZZZ [TRACON] experienced a positive COVID-19 test that required facility cleaning.  This cleaning required the facility to shut down radar operations; known as an ATC Zero event.  ZZZ ARTCC contingency plan would then be put into place.  Earlier discussions before I arrived at work discussed the options of how to work the ZZZ [TRACON] airspace.  ZZZ [ARTCC] was advised that ZZZ [TRACON] would be working radar in the Tower; and the option of ZZZ [ARTCC] assuming the airspace did not become an option.  The contingency plan states that ZZZ [ARTCC] clear the airspace and hold aircraft; not assume the airspace.  [A telecom was] convened to discuss the plans for the closing and cleaning of ZZZ [TRACON].  It was clear to me and those listening at ZZZ [ARTCC] that the decision had been made for ZZZ [ARTCC] to take control of the airspace and continue operations at ZZZ [TRACON].  After the call; ZZZ [ARTCC] was given an hour to work through any issues and develop a plan to accomplish the mission.  In conversations with the ATM; I advised him of what the Contingency plan stated; and even had a copy of the plan [sent] to him so he could read it.  I also advised him we were creating a plan to work the airspace and we would be ready to go for the XC:00 deadline.  I immediately brought together TMU; Tech OPs; FDCS; ZZZ [TRACON] ATM and area X staff to put a plan together to carry out the continuation of ATC services into and out of ZZZ [TRACON].  NOTAM was published closing the ZZZ [TRACON] airspace; TMU had instituted an X hour ground stop to slow the initial volume; I conferred the command center the request and they agreed and put in the ground stop.  The plan was delayed for about XX minutes due to traffic volume at ZZZ [TRACON]; and we assumed the airspace about XC:XX pm.  I sat in the area during the entire event; just to ensure what procedures we had developed were followed.  I also ensured correct phraseology was used concerning arrival traffic being cleared on the ILS [Runway] XXR.  Overall; the professionalism of all involved provided for an orderly outcome of the event.  We controlled the airspace for a little over an hour until the cleaning was complete.  My only concern was that we did not follow published procedures during an ATC Zero event.  I am filling this out today because I just received a call from another person at ZZZ [Center] concerned that I did not follow proper procedures concerning the ATC Zero event. I did not fill one out that night because I believed I was acting with approval from my ATM and District to assume the airspace and continue operations at ZZZ [TRACON].We proved that we could operate the airspace in a controlled manner for short periods.  ZZZ [ARTCC] needs to develop basic procedures for all of our underlying 24 hour facilities in the case of an ATC Zero event.   The controllers on the floor working the airspace need to have the basic information in front of them as they work through the basic issues during such events.  While I know that all contingencies can't be covered; that list would be exhaustive; we could have a strong baseline to follow during a similar events in the future.




Synopsis: Center Operations person reported procedural confusion when they took over the operations of a TRACON facility that went ATC Zero due to COVID-19 cleaning.