Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
I had taken over the position which was running multiple sectors combined. This is an unusual configuration. I have heard that we are using this for social distancing because of COVID-19. Because of the range covered I had to use my mid settings; adjusted for the altitude. Aircraft X was following a slower company aircraft at FL340. I asked Aircraft X if he would like to change altitudes or slow down. The pilot said he would like to climb and so I climbed the aircraft to FL360. When I went to switch the aircraft to the adjacent Center I realized that I had not coordinated with the sector above me. I then made sure that the sector above me was aware of Aircraft X and switched him. Usually when the area is in the mid configuration the airspace includes the above sector. I speculate that this is why I assumed that I had FL360 in my sector when; in fact; I did not.Standardized reminders on or near the scope would be helpful when we are forced into unusual combinations.
Center Controller reported clearing an aircraft to an altitude that was not in his sector; citing an unusual configuration due to special COVID-19 social distancing procedures.