FlyerAl

Is it absolutely necessary to do the video chat with a nurse if we already know how to perform the self-swab test? My 10-day test is coming up soon and I refuse to wait hours for a live chat. I may be tempted to just swab myself and throw the package in a Purolator drop box.

TheCanuckian

It is a great question and one I had as well. The FAQ on the Switch Health makes it sound like you don't need to, even though the government material makes it sound as if you do.

Please report back if you do it.

NikoPopp

You can try but the video chat is not only for instruction. They also verify your identity and make you show them ID. Otherwise, how would they know you're the one who actually swabbed your nose?

TheCanuckian

This is my fourth quarantine since COVID began and I finally got my first check-in phone call. Yet, wouldn't you know it, it came on day 10 at the exact moment I was doing my final COVID test and had the swab jammed up my nose. So I didn't answer…

sydneyracquelle

I have done 6 quarantines some with zero calls and others with both automated and live calls from federal and provincial health. No visits. It is random.

Bartolo

I have wondered about not answering. Many reasons why one couldn’t get to the phone. What happened when you didn’t answer? Do they ring back?

Finkface

The first time I quarantined, I didn’t answer once the entire 14 days. I listed my home (landline) number on my Arrive Can form as I never use my cell phone when I am home and have it set to not answer unknown callers because I get so many spam calls. I guess because I used the ArriveCan app, it somehow linked to my cell number. It wasn’t until I happened to look at my cell phone on about day 12 that I noticed about 20 missed calls, all from different numbers. Voicemails were all from them checking on my quarantine. No home visit that time around despite missing every single call. Too bad for them. I gave them my number and they chose to use a different one. Not my problem. The next time (and subsequent times) I deleted the app and just used the ArriveCan web site instead. Problem solved.

spartacus81

I've been wondering what happens if you can't get the day 10 test done, and how long potentially you would need to stay in quarantine.

According to the below, it's and extra 14 days. Has PHAC mentioned this to anyone? The instructions they provide make it sound like you're stuck indefinitely until you get the test done. Perhaps they're just trying to scare people to get the test done.

https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/...=40252&lang=en

TheCanuckian

Nothing so far.

EmailKid

Interesting ..... got a voice mail both times I didn't answer, telling my that another call from a similar number would call at later time (posted this before).

Finally, answered a call from a third number, again totally different from previous two, and talked to agent for about a couple of minutes since I really didn't want an in person visit (not that it would have really mattered).

NikoPopp

Has anyone received no result or inconclusive result from the day 10 test and knows what happens next?

FlyerAl

Being the good law abiding citizen that I am, I made a conscious effort to complete the test with the live nurse. I logged on as soon as it opened at 6am and I was #43 in the queue! After 45 minutes went by, I was almost ready to say "screw it", but the nurse suddenly appeared on my screen (although it said I was #15 in the queue)
The whole process was horrible. I have no idea how this company got hired (party donor, perhaps?) The nurse and I could see each other but if she heard me, I couldn't hear her and vice versa. Constant having to refresh the browser to take turns who got to hear who. Made sure she got a good view of my nostrils so she could confirm that I was swabbing them real good. Anyway, eventually got through the process and packaged everything. The Purolator pickup was scheduled but knowing they are crap even on a good day, I had the package dropped off at Staples just to be sure it went out on time. Later on I got a phone call from a Karen from the quarantine office wanting to know how I was getting my food, how I was getting fresh air, reminded me about the scary variants, and did I take the Day 10 test. She stated that if the test results don't show by Day 14, you have to remain in quarantine until the results are available. Uh sure, not happening (I'm fully vaccinated - pandemic's over as far as I'm concerned) but of course I said "oh yes, no problem". Better to placate these people so they don't send a goon to your house.

NikoPopp

I've answered all calls and still got goons sent to my home - twice!

sydneyracquelle

In 6 quarantines from March to February no one ever came to check on me in person.

spartacus81

So you had no problem dropping off the package at Staples? I thought there was some kind of "biological hazard" label on the envelope that required special handling. If not, perhaps dropping off in a drop box would work as well.

When they said you had to quarantine until results are available, did they give you any maximum timeline? As I posted earlier, it's supposed to be 28 days in total, but PHAC doesn't mention it anywhere (I'm kind of paranoid about ending up in some kind of indefinite quarantine scenario when I travel soon.). Not clear yet if PHAC have a way to find out if you have received a negative test.