Coutts border crossing into the U.S. Starting Nov. 2 international travellers will have the option of having a COVID test at Calgary International Airport or Coutts border crossing to avoid a 14 day quarantine period. The Coutts border crossing remains closed to non-essential travel.--PHOTO COURTESY ALBERTA TRAVEL
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Why COVID testing is going to be an option at Coutts border crossing from Nov. 2 is unclear when that border remains closed except for essential travel.
Last week the federal government announced that the border with the U.S. would remain closed at least until Nov. 21. The border has been closed since March with the government announcing 30-day extensions.
Tourists and cross-border visits remain prohibited, although trade and commerce are exempted and family members who can make a case on compassionate grounds to be allowed into Canada.
A senior media relations adviser for Health Canada says the choice of Coutts was one made by both the provincial and federal governments.
“Because it’s where the great majority of land crossings into Alberta occur – approximately 66 per cent over the last year and a half.”
“The Coutts land border crossing into Canada is currently open to commercial and non-commercial traffic. For foreign nationals, travel from the United States into Canada is generally limited to essential travel.”
The News has requested data on the number of non-essential travellers that have returned to Canada in the last three months. This information was not immediately available.
Premier Jason Kenney announced a new pilot project starting Nov. 2 would give international travellers an alternative to the current 14-day quarantine requirement at Calgary International Airport and Coutts border crossing.
Those who choose the test will be required to isolate while they wait for the test results. If they test negative they are no longer in quarantine but will be required to take certain precautions such as, remain in Alberta, wear a face mask in public, avoid high-risk groups, comply with daily health reporting and to agree to a second COVID test on day six or seven after they returned to Canada. This test would be done at a community pharmacy.
Although not confirmed yet it is likely that the pilot project could start at Edmonton’s International Airport in February 2021.
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rtghh11tom
3 years ago
Everyone at that moment faced this terrible problem, you can’t go anywhere and do anything. Even in America, it was difficult to travel between states. I was planning a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota but everything went right. I had to wait a year to fulfill the dream that stuck in my head after reading the article. This became the goal of my life and I was waiting for this day.
Everyone at that moment faced this terrible problem, you can’t go anywhere and do anything. Even in America, it was difficult to travel between states. I was planning a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota but everything went right. I had to wait a year to fulfill the dream that stuck in my head after reading the article. This became the goal of my life and I was waiting for this day.