Coutts border crossing into the U.S. Is seen in this undated photo from Alberta Travel. Thousands have already participated in a pilot project that allows international travellers expedited COVID-19 testing at either Calgary International Airport or the land border crossing at Coutts.--PHOTO COURTESY ALBERTA TRAVEL
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A pilot program introduced to avoid the 14-day quarantine period has seen thousands participating.
Since Nov. 2 international travellers arriving at Calgary International Airport or returning from the U.S. through the Coutts land border crossing there has been the option of taking a COVID-19 test at those locations.
Those taking the test are required to isolate for a few days while they wait for 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 a few days later.
Alberta Health says the pilot program is off to a successful start with more than 2,000 already enrolled.
“This project is the first of its kind in Canada. We continue to work to refine processes in co-operation with our partners, and all participating travellers are being closely monitored,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director communications.
These are still early days.
“The pilot will run for up to 26 weeks or until 52,000 participants are enrolled, whichever comes first,” said McMillan. “The intent is to add the Edmonton International Airport to the pilot early in 2021.”
McMillan declined to comment on how many participants are from Calgary airport compared to Coutts. Questions about how many of the more than 2,000 tested were positive have also not been answered.
Alberta Health has previously said that during July, August and September 1.7 per cent of international travellers arriving in Alberta tested positive for COVID-19. That number refers to individuals who were exposed while they travelled.
International travellers are required, unless taking part in the pilot study, to quarantine for 14 days. By this fall there had only been seven individuals who had been reported as unwilling to isolate and were reported to AHS for follow-up.
The number of Canadian residents returning from trips overseas declined 93.9 per cent year over year, from 869,100 in July 2019 to 53,300 in July 2020. Alberta is one of the top three provinces to see the most significant decline. The largest relative year-over-year declines in arrivals from overseas countries in July were in Yukon (-100.0 per cent), Nova Scotia (-99.4 per cent) and Alberta (-99.2 per cent).
The federal government closed borders with the U.S. in March and has consistently been extending this arrangement. In October it was announced the border would remained closed until at least Nov. 21. The federal government is expected to give an update this week.
