Maple News reports that Alberta’s early testing pilot for international travellers is showing encouraging outcomes, with most participants testing negative for COVID-19. The innovative program allows arriving travellers at select entry points to reduce their quarantine period through testing, rather than undergoing the standard 14-day isolation requirement.
Launched at Calgary International Airport and the Coutts border crossing, Alberta is the only Canadian province offering this type of pilot program. As of December 10, over 14,380 travellers had participated, with only 1.4% testing positive upon arrival. A follow-up test, administered six to seven days later, yielded an even lower positivity rate of just 0.7%.
Travellers who opt into the program are required to self-isolate for 24 to 48 hours while they await their initial test results. If negative, they may leave quarantine early, provided they continue symptom monitoring and complete a second test later in the week.
This approach offers a more flexible and science-based alternative to the standard two-week quarantine, while still prioritizing public health. All eligible travellers—including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and approved foreign nationals—can participate, provided they register up to five days prior to their arrival.
According to Alberta Health, the early results of the six-month pilot are positive. The government plans to extend the program to Edmonton International Airport in 2021 and may explore broader expansion if the trend continues.
Participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Travellers who choose not to enroll are still required by federal law to complete a full 14-day quarantine, during which they must have plans in place for essential needs like food, medicine, and accommodation.
The pilot initiative has been well received by travellers and airport officials, especially amid a steep 77% drop in passenger numbers at the Calgary airport compared to the previous year. The option to potentially shorten quarantine has sparked optimism in Alberta’s efforts to safely reopen borders and resume international travel.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments as Alberta’s pilot project progresses and more data becomes available in the coming months.