Temperature screening to be mandatory at airports
Federal initiative using non-invasive infrared thermometers welcomed
If you have a fever, you won’t be allowed to board an airplane in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government mandate mandatory temperature checks at airports as an “added layer of protection” in the fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Our government is mandating temperature screening for air passengers through a phased approach. First for those travelling to Canada. And for those travelling from Canada. And finally for those travelling within Canada,” Trudeau said Friday in his daily briefing.
“A passenger who has a fever will not be permitted to board their flight.
“Employees in the secured areas of airports will also be required to have their temperature checked. There are strong measures already in place to keep people safe. This screening will add another layer of protection.”
Masks, for example, have been required on board aircraft since the early days of the pandemic. Airlines and airports have added increased their sanitization practices, with frequent cleaning, increased availability of hand sanitizer, and improved social distancing.
Air Canada, for example, said it had already began taking the temperatures of customers prior to boarding as part its “multilayered approach” towards health and safety during COVID-19.
“We still need more details on this new TC (Transport Canada) program,” Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email. “We welcome the support of our partners, such as airports and governments, in further promoting the well-being of everyone travelling and involved in the transport industry.”
WestJet said it welcomed the initiative that will use non-invasive infrared thermometers.
“This screening further supports the government-mandated health questionnaires that are already in place for guests,” WestJet spokesperson Morgan
Bell said in an email to the Star. “WestJet has already implemented robust health and safety measures to further reduce the risk of guest and crew exposure to COVID-19, by helping ensure those that are travelling are healthy and fit to fly. We believe these robust safety initiatives are an effective control mechanism that will allow Canadians to travel our country in a safe and responsible manner.”
On Thursday, executives from WestJet and Air Canada lent their voices to an open letter to the provincial and federal governments, asking for quarantine orders to be relaxed so as to promote the $102-billion travel and tourism industry.
Trudeau offered no hint that quarantining orders would change. But instituting fever checks might aid in consumer confidence in the airline industry.