NL Watching Alberta COVID-19 Testing

Health Minister, John Haggie says officials here will be watching what happens with an Alberta pilot project aimed at reducing the length of time that travellers have to quarantine.

People entering Canada by land or air through Alberta will have the option of being tested for COVID-19 at the border.

In that case, the person will be allowed to leave their quarantine as long as they remain in Alberta for the first 14 days and commit to a second test on day 6 or 7 after arrival.

Haggie spoke to the idea yesterday outside the House of Assembly.

He says they certainly need to know what their experiences are.

Meanwhile a rotational worker from the province says there are big benefits to Alberta’s pilot project.

Newfoundland and Labrador health officials are currently evaluating the results of the trial program whereby rotational workers can get a test 5 days after returning to the province lessening the quarantine period.

Jeremy Holwell says the information used to create that program doesn’t hold the same weight it once did. He references data from Air Canada that shows the 5 to 7 day incubation is wrong 80% of the time. He says Alberta is moving with those results and we need to keep moving too.

Holwell says being tested at the airports would provide more peace of mind to workers and their families. Holwell argues that if you could find out at the airport if you have COVID-19, a lot of workers wouldn’t go home.

Courtesy VOCM news.