YUL passengers will soon be offered rapid screening tests
Monday, 07 December 2020 04:23.PM
ADM Aéroports de Montréal and Biron Health Group Inc. are launching a pilot project to test a new rapid screening process for COVID-19 on departures from YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport to destinations requiring a negative result medical certificate for admission to their territory. These antigenic tests will make it possible to perform certified and rapid tests within 15 minutes.
This new service will initially be offered by reservation to travellers whose final destination is metropolitan France and who are taking a flight served by Air Canada, the initial partner of the project, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines or Air Transat. Other destinations could be added to the pilot project. The screening will be carried out by Biron professionals in an area set aside for this purpose on the departures level of the airport terminal.
This initiative is part of a number of pilot projects already underway in the country, including the one conducted by Alberta and federal public health agencies at Calgary's airport designed to reduce the 14-day quarantine period imposed on travellers entering Canada. ADM is in discussions to eventually offer the same type of tests to arriving passengers.
The ADM and Biron Health Group Inc. pilot project is consistent with the recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and respects the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on the implementation of robust screening measures aimed at allowing for a safe recovery of the airline industry, without compromising the public health efforts made to date.
In summary
- The pilot project will start on December 15 and will last for an initial period of 8 weeks;
- The test using a nasal swab will be minimally intrusive and offered at a cost of $149;
- The antigenic test used by Biron is approved by Health Canada and recognized in France;
- Tests are available by reservation only. Only passengers authorized to travel to France will be able to book an appointment;
- Passengers authorized to travel to metropolitan France also have the option of going to a Biron service point, or to call the laboratory of their choice within 72 hours prior to their departure to obtain their negative screening certificate via a standard test (PCR) or will be required to be tested upon arrival in France at the airport;
- All passengers participating in the pilot project will nevertheless need to continue to observe the mandatory quarantine period upon their return to Canada;
- It is recommended that passengers check the travel restrictions in effect in their destination country.
SOURCE: Aéroports de Montréal