Airline passengers travelling to, from or within Canada will soon have to undergo temperature screenings.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday the screenings will be brought in through a phased approach.
“First for those travelling to Canada, then for those travelling from Canada, and finally for those travelling within Canada. A passenger who has a fever will not be permitted to board their flight,” said Trudeau.
- Phase 1: By June 30, all air operators will have to screen passengers travelling to Canada before leaving from international or transborder points of departure.
- Phase 2: By the end of July, temperature screening stations will be placed in the departure section of the four major airports which are currently identified as the only Canadian airports for international travel (Montral, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver).
- Phase 3: By September 2020, temperature screening stations will be in place in the departure sections of the next 11 busiest airports in Canada (St. John’s, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto – Billy Bishop, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria).
The requirements for temperature screening at the rest of Canada’s airports will be assessed after the initial phases.
All employees who enter or work in the restricted area of airports will also have their temperature screened.
“There are strong measures already in place to keep people safe and this screening will add yet another layer of protection,” said Trudeau.
Airline passengers are already required to wear face coverings and answer a series of health screening questions.
