Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced on October 22nd that the 14-day required quarantining period for returning international travellers entering Canada by land or air through Alberta could be shortened by as much as 48 hours if the traveller receives a negative COVID-19 test result. As a volunteer pilot project conducted by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, rapid COVID-19 tests will be offered at the Coutts land border crossing in Southern Alberta and the Calgary International Airport starting November 2nd, 2020. Participating travellers would be tested upon entry and must quarantine until a negative test result is received. Thereafter, they no longer have to self-isolate but will be required to take another test on the 6th and 7th day after their return. If at any point the result is positive, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
"Every traveller will be closely monitored," said Kenney, in regards to the volunteers. "They'll have to provide daily check-ins and follow preventative health measures, such as wearing masks in public places."
Shortly after this press conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that he is open to replacing Canada's 14-day Quarantine Act with rapid testing. "We're keeping a really sharp eye on what's going to happen out in Calgary on this pilot project and I'd be open to it," the Premier said.
In early September, Air Canada, together with McMaster Health Labs and The Greater Toronto Airport Authority, began a study of the rapid testing and the overall effectiveness of the Quarantine Act. Since then, more than 28,000 tests were taken by volunteer travelers with 99% testing negative.
The news comes as a massive sigh of relief for those in the travel industry, including airlines, travel agencies, and hotels, who's businesses have been greatly impacted by the Quarantine Act that has been place in Canada since March 25th. "It's certainly a step in the right direction." claims Laurie Keith, owner of Romantic Planet Vacations. "We have many clients who are ready and eager to travel in a safe manner, but most are deterred by having to quarantine for two weeks after their return. Not often can one take 3 weeks off of work."
Though it's a pilot project for now, if all goes well, it is expected to be rolled out in other major Canadian cities shortly. Studies have already shown that the chances of contracting COVID-19 while on an airplane is extremely low due to the existing HEPA air filtration system and mandatory face masks. Statistically there is less than 1 in 27 million chance that you can contract the virus while on an airplane, according to IATA, The International Association of Transport Association.
Flights are available right now to the Caribbean and Mexico with the major Canadian airlines, who are all currently offering complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance included in their South packages. Most of the borders and resorts have been open to Canadians since July and have been eagerly awaiting the return of their beloved Canadian visitors. "If anyone is like me, I honestly don't know how I will survive the harsh winter without my annual holiday to the tropics. I have been waiting for this very moment for months and will be the first to book in Toronto when it becomes available here," advises Keith. According to a recent survey by Sunwing Vacations, Ms. Keith is not alone. 56% of Canadians surveyed said they will travel within the next year, regardless of the pandemic.
Contact Romantic Planet Vacations to plan your next holiday at travel@romanticplanet.ca or 1-866-247-8123 or schedule a complimentary phone or zoom travel consultation at http://romanticplanetvacations.com/consultation/
Canada Web-site: https://www.canada.ca/en/intergovernmental-affairs/news/2020/10/new-covid-19-pilot-planned-for-international-travellers.html
