Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
While preparing the aircraft for departure from ZZZZ to ZZZ I made contact with our Dispatcher to address a minor deferred maintenance item. While I was on the phone I learned we were getting new paperwork due to the ZZZ1 ATC Center shutting down for sterilization. The Dispatcher was still working on the details due to severe weather to the east of ZZZ1 and indicated that it would be sent to me and the normal station location when it was finished.The Load Master came in wanting me to complete the weight and balance so he could leave. I notified him that we needed new flight release paperwork and told him it should be sitting on his printer and to look for revision 1 at the top of the front page.The Load Master came in again later and indicated that he wanted to do the weight and balance paperwork. I told him I wanted to wait till I had the new paperwork in hand and reviewed. Eventually the paperwork showed up and once we reviewed and did a few more items to finalize the preparation I turned around to notify the Load Master that I was ready for the cross check. The person said that they were not doing the cross check at that station due to COVID-19. I was surprised by his answer and said something like 'REALLY?' And he repeated his original statement. I told him I had not been notified of this situation and he said it was to reduce exposure on the flight deck.I gave him the paperwork that was completed but did not have the check marks related to the normal cross check process with the Load Master. In hindsight; I am skeptical about the answer I received and decided I should make this report to make sure that this situation is truly their process. If it turns out to be accurate we should possibly notify any crews that will be going into ZZZZ.This flight was already scheduled later than normal due to crew rest requirements and due to the delay in receiving the hard copy of the amended flight release it was running approximately 10 minutes later than the newly scheduled time. It was obvious that they were under pressure to get us moving and I was attempting to keep things standard and attempt to not introduce the opportunity to have errors.
Air carrier Captain reported a weight and balance change was not cross-checked due to COVID-19 company guidelines as cited by the Load Master.