1.
Creation of a classification system that is easily understood by Canadians and uses the current situation in Canada as a benchmark. Countries will be assessed and categorized with a rolling fourteen day average using the following categories:
Countries or geographically distinct regions of countries (such as the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico) considered either comparable to Canada or a lower risk.
Countries or geographically distinct regions of countries that are considered a higher risk than Canada.
2.
Selection and accelerated approval by Health Canada of a COVID-19 rapid testing device (90 minutes or less) by the Government of Canada for deployment at all Canadian airports through the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) entry process using clinical screening officers OR deployment of testing by the airlines for passengers en-route to Canada.
The introduction of an Airport Improvement Fee-style surcharge on all tickets to cover the cost of testing on arrival, if desired, of all passengers travelling internationally. This surcharge would be collected by the airlines on behalf of Canadian and provincial governments OR self-administered by the airlines.
Arriving passengers from COVID Watch Countries/Regions:
// Rapid COVID-19 test administered on arrival as part of the CBSA customs entry process by clinical screening officers OR by the airline.
// Passengers with a positive test result must continue to quarantine for 14 days. Passengers with a negative test result may halt their quarantine.
// Arriving passenger must quarantine until the tests are processed and the results delivered (typically same day results).
// Passengers must attest they will download the Government of Canada’s COVID Alert smartphone app and use it for a period of 14 days.
Arriving passengers from COVID Warning Countries/Regions:
// Rapid COVID-19 testing administered on arrival as part of the CBSA customs entry process by clinical screening officers OR by the airline.
// Arriving passengers may stop their quarantine upon receiving a second negative test result. Alternatively, passengers may continue to quarantine for the full 14 days.
// Arriving passengers must quarantine until a second test is administered, regardless of the results from the first test. Best practices suggest that a second test should be administered at a minimum of the fifth day following entry.
// Passengers must attest they will download the Government of Canada’s COVID Alert smartphone app and use it for a period of 14 days.
3.
Early detection of COVID-19 cases at the border on the date of travel offers an improvement to the status quo and will facilitate contact tracing. The requirement for arriving passengers to use the COVID Alert smartphone app will further assist in contact tracing.
Download COVID ALERT App here: Google Play or Apple App Store
The shift by the aviation industry to electronic boarding passes increases that amount of up to date passenger contact information that will improve an airline’s ability to rapidly share information with provincial health authorities if an active case of COVID-19 has been detected onboard a flight.