Image from CBSA

By Chris Brown

In Calgary and Coutts

Pilot program to test alternative to 14-day quarantine for travellers

Oct 22, 2020 | 11:20 AM

The provincial and federal governments have partnered on a pilot program that could reduce the mandatory 14-day quarantine currently required of travellers entering the country.

The program will start on Nov. 2 and will explore the feasibility of using a rigorous testing and monitoring program.

The program will be tested at the Coutts land border crossing and the Calgary International Airport. Travellers who participate will receive a COVID-19 test upon entry into Canada before proceeding into the required quarantine.

Once the test comes back negative, they will then be allowed to leave their place of quarantine so long as they commit to getting a second test on day six or seven after arrival, at a community pharmacy participating in the pilot program.

Participants will be closely monitored through daily symptoms checks. They will also be required to follow enhanced preventive health measures, such as wearing masks in public places and avoiding visiting high-risk groups.

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“This new pilot program will allow those who need to travel for work to have a safe path to a shorter quarantine period,” said Premier Jason Kenney in a release. “Since the start of this pandemic, Alberta’s government has highlighted the importance to protect lives and livelihoods. Today’s announcement does just that.”

Only returning Canadian citizens, permanent residents or foreign nationals currently permitted entry into Canada and who have no symptoms are eligible for the pilot program. All returning international travellers who do not voluntarily participate in the pilot must continue to adhere to the 14-day quarantine.

Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau says the “pilot project is an example of how we continue to work with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, provincial and territorial governments and transportation industry stakeholders to reduce the risk of transmission while seeking new safety measures for international travel.”