The Atlantic Canada Airports Association is calling for the region’s premiers to implement arrival testing protocols for domestic passengers to help ease quarantine times.
Saying there’s only so much air left in the Bubble, the association is calling on a testing protocol for everyone moving through the region by air.
Atlantic Canada has managed to keep COVID-19 cases low despite surges in other parts of the country and many are pointing to the Atlantic Bubble as the reason why.
Adding an arrivals testing protocol for everyone moving through our region by air would provide an added layer of peace of mind for our communities. This additional safety measure could allow for a reduction in quarantine times. #rapidtesting #mayday https://t.co/Law8JhJxdD
— Atlantic Airports (@ACAirports) November 9, 2020
Association President Derrick Stanford says they are relieved to hear that Ottawa is willing to discuss relief with air carriers, and says that the 14-day quarantine restrictions in the Atlantic Bubble have “smothered” the industry.
He suggests implementing testing at regional airports before more connectivity is lost.
WestJet announced it was suspending 80 per cent of its capacity in Atlantic Canada and in June, Air Canada indefinitely suspended 11 routes and closed its stations in Bathurst and Wabush.
Executive director Monette Pasher acknowledges that not many people are thinking about air service right now, but it remains essential to rotational workers, the business community and the visitor economy. She says it will take years to rebuild what’s been lost.
