Alberta to host rapid COVID-19 testing pilot of international travellers

2, elect to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing in order to reduce the duration of their mandated quarantine.

Calgary International Airport and the Coutts border crossing will be the first in Canada to replace mandatory 14-day quarantines for international travellers with rapid testing, the Alberta Government announced Thursday.

The rapid testing pilot project is voluntary and travellers can still choose to opt out of the program, but it will be mandatory for those people to quarantine for 14 days. 

Kenney says international travellers will receive a COVID-19 test when entering Canada before entering into quarantine

Despite being allowed to leave quarantine after testing negative, travellers will still have to remain in Alberta for 14 days after arrival and must wear masks in public places and will be subject to daily symptom checks. 

NEW: The Alberta and Federal Governments are partnering with industry on a pilot project to replace the mandatory 14-day quarantine for international travellers with voluntary rapid testing

It’ll start in early November at Coutts border and Calgary Airport

An Alberta Health Services representative directs arriving passengers at the Calgary International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic (file)

2, travellers arriving at the Coutts border crossing or Calgary International Airport may elect to undergo rapid COVID-19 testing instead of the mandatory 14-day quarantine

Doug Schweitzer, Alberta's minister of jobs, economy and innovation, announced a rapid COVID-19 testing pilot for international travellers that will be introduced at the Calgary International Airport in November