Royal Canadian Air Force Lockheed CC- Hercules touches down Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 at the Lethbridge Airport. Members of the crew unload items off the plane.
A new Alberta pilot testing project will see the 14-day isolation period cut into 48 hours for travellers at Alberta airports and border crossings.
On Oct. 22, Premier Jason Kenney announced travellers entering Canada, through Alberta by land or air will have the option to be tested for COVID-19 when arriving.
Currently, travellers entering Canada are required to self-isolate for 14-days once arriving. With the new pilot project, travellers will be able to receive a COVID test and isolate for 48 hours, until they receive a negative test result. At that point, they are able to leave isolation. As part of this program, travellers will need to be tested again in six or seven days after arriving in Alberta.
The pilot project is set to start on Nov. 2 and will be the first of its kind in Canada. Testing will be available for travellers entering at both the Calgary International Airport and the Coutts land border crossing.
Trevor Lewington, CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge says the project is worth trying, while keeping safety front and centre.
“It’s something that we have to explore because we’re in the middle of a public health emergency, but also an economic one. No questions, we have to take reasonable steps to protect public health to control the spread of the virus, but opening the border allows us to look tourism [as well as] other business generation.”
Lethbridge is located 110 km from Coutts, Alta. and is the first major city along Highway 4. With more travellers able to cross the border, Lethbridge’s economy may see a slight increase.
“[The pilot project at] the border allows additional visitors and we will see spending in things like hotels, fuel and restaurants,” said Lewington. “Hopefully, as we open the border, you’ll see more commercial traffic, but if it’s easier to get through and drivers have more access, that will improve the flow of goods.”
Montana has the third highest COVID-19 infection rate per capita in the U.S.A., which will be closely monitored by Alberta Health Services.
With the pilot project set to begin next month, Alberta and Destination Canada have put forward plans on how the tourism industry can cope, while continuing to focus on staycations and regional travel.
Stephen Braund, marketing director at Tourism Lethbridge says the tourism industry has been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in all parts of the world.
“We’re focused on ensuring that any travel is safe and we want to increase the number of hotel stays that we have in the city. But it’s vital [that we] make sure we support our small businesses, local accommodations and restaurants, but with safety [being] a key factor.”
Travellers with a connecting flight from Calgary International Airport to Lethbridge will have the option to receive a test.
“We want to have people discover this portion of the Alberta that we have. [There are] many attractions and stunningly beautiful landscapes that we’re waiting to introduce travellers to this safely, yet exciting way,” said Braund.
The Government of Alberta and Government of Canada have agreed on a 26-week pilot project. If the project is successful, Premier Kenney said it could be expanded to the Edmonton International Airport as early as February.