Air Canada said on Thursday it has launched a voluntary COVID-19 study of international travellers coming into Toronto’s Pearson Airport as part of a campaign to persuade the government to lift travel restrictions such as its 14-day quarantine.
Under the study, set to begin on Thursday, participating passengers will provide samples to be analyzed for COVID-19 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests upon arrival and in two follow-ups to establish how many travellers arrive infected.
“Our study will provide data to help determine if an airport-based COVID-19 surveillance program is feasible, whether self-collection of COVID-19 testing is effective, and to explore options regarding the 14-day quarantine for international travel,” Air Canada said.
Canada’s borders are now closed to all non-citizens except for essential workers, and Canadians who enter the country from abroad must self-isolate for two weeks.
Most carriers and airports around the world support the idea of testing to replace government-imposed quarantines. They believe a layered approach including steps like temperature checks, cleaning and mask-wearing can replace quarantines…
