Rapid testing imminent
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,073
Unfortunately the AC flights from both LHR/FRA to YYC have not operated in many many months, and they keep getting cancelled for the upcoming month every 4 weeks or so. The AC schedule is not something you can rely on these days. I would only book flights that are actually operating now, not ones scheduled to re-start in a month or two.
#32
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,182
Unfortunately the AC flights from both LHR/FRA to YYC have not operated in many many months, and they keep getting cancelled for the upcoming month every 4 weeks or so. The AC schedule is not something you can rely on these days. I would only book flights that are actually operating now, not ones scheduled to re-start in a month or two.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,303
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ZRH
Programs: AC SE 100K
Posts: 925
#35
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ZRH
Programs: AC SE 100K
Posts: 925
I'm confirmed to come - - if the flight operates - - the first week of March. A couple of things which make this uncertain.
1.) Program has cap of 52,000 participants. Not sure how they came up with this - but perhaps they are just getting data on which to make a decision so they don't want any more.
2.) Flight schedule is uncertain and AC has not run YYC from Europe for a while. I think it's possibly because their flying crew have historically been based in Vancouver so it's more complicated to run these.
3.) Rules just might change . . . . .
Anyone have any thoughts on what Kenny will do if the 52,000 is reached? Or is it the federal gov that is deciding this?
1.) Program has cap of 52,000 participants. Not sure how they came up with this - but perhaps they are just getting data on which to make a decision so they don't want any more.
2.) Flight schedule is uncertain and AC has not run YYC from Europe for a while. I think it's possibly because their flying crew have historically been based in Vancouver so it's more complicated to run these.
3.) Rules just might change . . . . .
Anyone have any thoughts on what Kenny will do if the 52,000 is reached? Or is it the federal gov that is deciding this?
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Rapid COVID19 Tests Coming to Montreal Trudeau Airport Next Week
Rapid testing for COVID-19 is coming to YUL next week.DM 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.
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,073
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...utts-1.5839173
As of Thursday, the province said 14,382 travellers had taken tests.
About 1.4 per cent were positive with the initial swab. After the second test, the infection rate was 0.7 per cent.
As of Thursday, the province said 14,382 travellers had taken tests.
About 1.4 per cent were positive with the initial swab. After the second test, the infection rate was 0.7 per cent.
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
The YYC preliminary update to 17 Dec. didn't change much but thought I'd share them
A 1% positive rate matches the amount recorded in the GTAA-McMaster study conducted earlier last Fall according to the interim report published here.
I mention these statistics to reinforce how low the positivity rate is for inbound int. arrivals and how rapid testing to me should be the way forward at Canadian airports.
EIA noted its monthly newsletter I received today that the Alberta government is supporting bringing the rapid testing pilot program to YEG "early in 2021".
A 1% positive rate matches the amount recorded in the GTAA-McMaster study conducted earlier last Fall according to the interim report published here.
I mention these statistics to reinforce how low the positivity rate is for inbound int. arrivals and how rapid testing to me should be the way forward at Canadian airports.
EIA noted its monthly newsletter I received today that the Alberta government is supporting bringing the rapid testing pilot program to YEG "early in 2021".
#39
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,989
The YYC preliminary update to 17 Dec. didn't change much but thought I'd share them
A 1% positive rate matches the amount recorded in the GTAA-McMaster study conducted earlier last Fall according to the interim report published here.
I mention these statistics to reinforce how low the positivity rate is for inbound int. arrivals and how rapid testing to me should be the way forward at Canadian airports.
EIA noted its monthly newsletter I received today that the Alberta government is supporting bringing the rapid testing pilot program to YEG "early in 2021".
A 1% positive rate matches the amount recorded in the GTAA-McMaster study conducted earlier last Fall according to the interim report published here.
I mention these statistics to reinforce how low the positivity rate is for inbound int. arrivals and how rapid testing to me should be the way forward at Canadian airports.
EIA noted its monthly newsletter I received today that the Alberta government is supporting bringing the rapid testing pilot program to YEG "early in 2021".
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Border Testing Pilot Program to Begin at Pearson International
The Ontario government is launching a new innovative, voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport for eligible international travellers returning to Ontario to help quickly identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province.Details were provided today at Pearson airport by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
"With over 60,000 international passengers coming into Pearson airport every week, we can't take any unnecessary risks," said Premier Ford. "That's why we're putting in place this new pilot program to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and respond to new threats like the recent strain of the virus we're seeing in an alarming number of countries without the same travel restrictions as the U.K. The test will be free for eligible travellers and I encourage everyone to take the test to protect yourselves and your loved ones."
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Air Canada Super Elite 2+ Million Miles
Posts: 2,478
Border Testing Pilot Program to Begin at Pearson International
[i]The Ontario government is launching a new innovative, voluntary and free border testing pilot program at Toronto Pearson International Airport for eligible international travellers returning to Ontario to help quickly identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the province.So Ford has agreement from GTAA to enter the premises to give these tests?
And the purpose to replicate the PCR test is ???
WOW!!!
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
YEG finally getting its own rapid testing pilot program although can't see how much good it will do now that the airport has virtually no international flights.
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/covid-19...port-1.5271682
EDMONTON -- A COVID-19 testing program that began in southern Alberta in November 2020 is expanding to Edmonton International Airport in February.
The tests could eliminate the 14-day quarantine period for international travellers and make Edmonton a safer and more convenient travel option, according to EIA.
"To be able to do that right at the airport upon travel and prove the negative test and test people asymptomatic is important," Steve Maybee with EIA told CTV News Edmonton. "It's all about health and safety."
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/covid-19...port-1.5271682
EDMONTON -- A COVID-19 testing program that began in southern Alberta in November 2020 is expanding to Edmonton International Airport in February.
The tests could eliminate the 14-day quarantine period for international travellers and make Edmonton a safer and more convenient travel option, according to EIA.
"To be able to do that right at the airport upon travel and prove the negative test and test people asymptomatic is important," Steve Maybee with EIA told CTV News Edmonton. "It's all about health and safety."
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,652
One purpose would be to see if anything changed in the up to 85 hours in between when the person took their PCR test and when they land on Canadian soil.
If they are smart about it they do what AC/McMaster did in their earlier study and test on arrival and after 7 and 14 days.
If they are smart about it they do what AC/McMaster did in their earlier study and test on arrival and after 7 and 14 days.
#45
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YYC - not the centre of the universe
Programs: AC*S100K 1MM, LH FTL, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat
Posts: 4,768
Looks like the Alberta pilot project has reached its conclusion:
Also based on statistics, we almost reached the pilot project max number:
https://www.alberta.ca/international...t-project.aspx
The Alberta COVID-19 Border Testing Pilot Program is currently under review in light of new travel rules announced by the Government of Canada on January 29, 2020. More information about the pilot program will be shared soon.
Preliminary update (as of February 4, 2021)*
- Non-exempt traveller participants: 47,604
- 1st test at port of entry – 1.44%
- 2nd test – 0.74%
- Total – 1.11%
Last edited by tcook052; Feb 7, 2021 at 3:36 pm Reason: Off topic