How Canadian Airports are Fighting COVID-19?

The government of Canada is actively working with provincial governments and international partners to contain and fight the coronavirus outbreak. COVID-19 has compelled the authorities to develop infrastructure and spread awareness and information to beat the viral disease.

Key areas of focus are border crossings. Airports across Canada are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Even though PHAC states that Canadians are at a low risk to contract the virus, various health, and well-being initiatives are in place to safeguard people and travel.

This article covers 8 such Canadian airports and the preventive measures they are taking in light of the new coronavirus.

Let’s begin with the largest airport in the country:

Toronto-Pearson International Airport

If you book flight tickets to Toronto International Airport, you will observe banners and booths to transfer critical COVID-19 information.

Additional signage is also placed at the airport in English and French encouraging travelers to report flu-like symptoms, if any.

Moreover, electronic kiosks are programmed to ask questions to identify whether a passenger is traveling from Hubei, China or Italy.

People that are traveling from such destinations but not displaying any symptoms of being infected are required to share personal information. They must also consult a public health authority within 24 hours.

The PHAC is advising all Canadians who have been outside of the country to self-isolate themselves for 14 days even if there are no symptoms.

Here are some additional precautions by Toronto Pearson Airport:

The cleaning staff is putting in extra hours and effort.
Sanitizing stations have been put up in various areas such as terminals, access points, etc.
Disinfectants are used to clean escalators, elevators, stairwells, and so on.
Frequent disinfecting of all hard surfaces, washrooms, and passenger kiosks.

Vancouver International Airport

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has introduced a plethora of new measures to safeguard passenger catching flights to Vancouver International Airport. Some of them include:

The screens at the arrivals area are displaying various messages in English, French and Chinese. These include reporting any flu-like symptoms to the border service staff.
The airport kiosks now ask additional screening questions in over 15 languages. This is to determine whether a passenger has been to any COVID-19 high-risk areas within 14 days.
The passengers that have been in countries such as China, Iran, and Italy are routed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel for additional inspection.
The PHAC quarantine officers will further assess anyone displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
On the other hand, those travelers who have been to the aforementioned locations but have no symptoms of the disease must limit contact with others. They must self-isolate for at least 14 days. Further, The airport now offers a comprehensive information package on COVID-19.

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

If you book Montreal air tickets and arrive at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport, you will observe the awareness campaign. The arrival screens are flashing safety messages and asking passengers to report any symptoms.

Flyers are also handed out to all passengers. Moreover, the Public Health Agency of Canada has placed health and screening officers at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
All terminal washrooms have posters instructing passengers to wash hands frequently and practice personal hygiene.
Further, information kiosks are in place at the international arrivals hall for passengers as well as employees.
Not only this, but there is also human personnel present at the airport from 10 am to 8 pm. They are qualified to help and answer the questions of passengers.
Hand-sanitizers are in place across the airport and especially in high-crowd areas. This includes the baggage carousel area, arrivals corridor, and border services hall.
Hospital-grade disinfectants are being to clean areas more efficiently and frequently.

Calgary International Airport

With no change of plans by WestJet to launch nonstop flights from Calgary to Rome, the Calgary International Airport is on alert. The airport is concerned about the safety of the passengers.

Calgary Airpot is taking every measure to minimize the disruption of the travel plans of its passengers. Here are some of them:

The airport is working closely with various health partners. Some of them include the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Alberta Health Services.
PHAC has placed multiple systems across the airport to detect, respond and isolate passengers to contain the virus from spreading.
Calgary International Airport is conducting virtual training sessions for employees so they can help the passengers.
The airport has also developed a comprehensive emergency plan.
The terminal cleaning and upkeep frequency have been doubles by the airport authorities.
The airport has enforced messaging across the screens urging passengers to practice caution against COVID-19.
More and more sanitizing systems are in place throughout the airport.

Edmonton International Airport

The Edmonton International Airport recently came out with new travel restrictions for passengers on flights to Edmonton from outside of Canada.

The government has not included airports in the list that restricts mass gatherings. However, the airport is exercising strict measures to monitor the outbreak.

After each flight, the staff cleans and disinfects all passenger screening systems at the arrivals area.
Moreover, the staff sanitizes each and every passenger touch point and counters frequently.
The airport is installing and regularly refilling hand sanitizing and soap dispensers in the washrooms and across the airport.
Elevator buttons, handrails, door handles, self-service kiosks, bins/trays at screening points, airline counter tops and all other hard surfaces are undergoing rigorous cleaning.
You can also find more information on the official website of the airport, including how to self-isolate and more.

Winnipeg Richardson International Airport

After the confirmation of the first coronavirus case in Manitoba, Winnipeg Richardson International Airport is also exercising strict measures. If you catch flights to Winnipeg Here are some of them:

The airport is displaying awareness signage across the terminal hall and other airport areas. The aim is to inform passengers about symptoms, preventive measures, health advice, and emergency contact information
Securing safety equipment and materials
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport has devised a well-detailed response plan.

Ottawa International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport amongst others is also exercising similar measures. As per the latest announcements by PHAC, Canadians are at low risk of contracting COVID-19.

However, since prevention is better than cure, the concerned authorities are doing their bit in enhancing safety and well-being of all travelers. Meanwhile, it is also essential that you adopt preventive measures such as washing hands regularly.

You can also take advantage of the technology. Instead of checking in at the airport, it is better to check yourself and your baggage online. Similarly, booking flight tickets online is better.