International travelers who wish to stay in Ontario for at least 14 days will get to do the COVID-19 testing for free. Premier Doug Ford announced this information at Pearson Airport, Canada.
The Ontario government launched the initiative with the hope to detect and curb the spread of Coronavirus in the region.
Pearson Airport witnesses 60,000 international arrivals every week. The passengers include international students, temp workers, and permanent residents. Most of them are immigrants.
The government of Ontario released news and stated that the pilot program would help in testing, tracking, and isolating COVID19 cases in the beginning phase. The step is a significant one in protecting the borders of Canada.
The travelers who are eligible for the test project can pre-register for it or can register for the voluntary project at the airport after arrival. The participants will be given a self-collected PCR test, and there will be a health care provider to monitor them. The health care provider will be there in person or on video during the self-administration. The airport will have a dedicated place for the free and self-administered COVID19 test.
Within 48 hours, the participant will be able to check the results on the Laboratory Information System of Ontario. If found positive, the public health unit of Canada will connect with the participant. However, the test will not provide an exception to the mandated quarantine upon arrival. That means the people traveling to Canada will have to adhere to the 14-day federal mandatory quarantine requirement, irrespective of their test outcomes.
The pilot project is an add-on to the existing one, which came into effect on January 7. The government of Canada needs travelers to show that they are COVID19 negative, and that should be within 3 days of arriving or traveling in Canada. Travelers will have to arrange their own test procedure from the place of their departure.
The Ontario Province is working with the federal authorities to modify the quarantine duration for the travelers who tested negative during the test.
In Alberta, there is already a similar pilot testing program operational at Calgary Airport and is in place since November. Alberta Health states that the pilot project was successful, and they will continue the same practice for COVID19 screening.
Until January 21, 2021, most foreigners cannot enter Canada due to restrictions by the government. However, there are a few exemptions.
