Will a quick inspection at the airport help burst the Atlantic bubbles?

HALIFAX — Atlantic Canada has become world-famous for how well it has kept its citizens safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

By controlling the movement to this area through the Atlantic bubble, we were able to significantly control the virus. However, compulsory quarantine is a significant deterrent that prevents people from traveling to the area, affecting airports, airlines, and the economy as a whole.

As new testing methods become available and health officials learn more about virus control, airports with a shortage of travelers in the area say it’s time to burst the bubble.

Last month, WestJet suspended more than 100 flights to and from Atlantic Canada, reducing seating in the region by 80%.

Air Canada also announced that it had canceled its long-standing flight between Sydney and Halifax until at least the end of November.

Relation: WestJet Ax Almost all Atlantic Canada flights

Monette Pasher is the Secretary-General of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association. She says traffic at Atlantic Airport in Canada has dropped by nearly 90%. And I don’t think the situation will improve in the near future.

“We have lost a lot of the services that have been used for a very long time. I think we are worried about what’s coming,” she says. “I would like to talk about turning a corner here, but that is not where we are.”

Pasher says the mandatory 14-day quarantine imposed on those entering the Atlantic Bubble is a major factor in people’s decision not to fly.

“Travel restrictions in our area actually prevent us from having little demand,” she says. “I think travel restrictions are currently the biggest obstacle to losing our air service.”

Podcast: Derrick Stanford during times of turbulent airports in the region, but hopefully clear skies first

On the west coast, where the state does not carry out the same rigorous quarantine, Mr. Pascher says the airport has returned to about 30 percent of normal traffic.

Atlantic airports now account for 10% of normal traffic. Pasher estimates that with a rapid test program, that number can reach about 20 to 25 percent.

It’s not a huge increase in traffic, but Pasher says it can make a big difference if you’re struggling at an Atlantic airport.

“Do you think the locks will open? Absolutely not. I think this will be a long and slow journey,” she says.

Test all flyers

But what does a test program on the Atlantic Canada look like?

Pasher points out that the long-term goal is to have a global standard for testing across the aviation industry. But it’s out of the control of the state government, and she thinks Atlantic airports shouldn’t wait for it to be established.

Instead, she wants the Atlantic Coast of Canada to follow the lead in places like Calgary and begin testing how the Covid-19 test is used to reduce quarantine time.

Residents and qualified international travelers in Calgary You can take the Covid-19 test to reduce quarantine Negative results in just two days.

After they are cleared, they are free to leave the quarantine as long as they continue to monitor their symptoms. Then, about a week later, you will have a second test to reconfirm that you are Covid-19 negative.

Pasher states that a similar program can be easily set up at Atlantic Airport in Canada.

Even better is to use a rapid “point of care” test that can return results in the field within minutes.

Using rapid inspection, authorities were able to inspect everyone landing at the airport. If the test is negative, you can skip the quarantine (but follow all other public health precautions, such as wearing a mask and social distance).

Pasher emphasizes that she is not a public health authority and that the details of the testing program must come from the appropriate health authorities.

But she argues that testing everyone entering the Atlantic Canada may actually be safer than trusting them to self-isolate.

“The quarantine approach was what we had to do when there were no other options available. It’s been eight months since the pandemic broke out. Looking at the science of quarantine, It’s a really porous approach, “she says. “We actually rely on people and their level of honesty to comply with voluntary measures.”

“There are risks in terms of their health effects. Wouldn’t it be better to test everyone who comes to our area?”

“No reason” not to test at the airport

Halifax’s Stanfield International Airport is the busiest airport on the Atlantic coast of Canada. Airport spokesman Tiffany Chase believes it is possible to test everyone arriving there by plane.

She claims that Halifax Airport currently has only 400-500 passengers per day (down from an average of nearly 6,000 last year), a “very manageable number” to test. I will.

She says the airport has a closed area that’s easy to use to set up a test program, which means space doesn’t matter.

Like Pasher, Stanfield says he “welcomes” test programs aimed at reducing quarantine time.

Tim Houston, the leader of Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative Party, also urged the government to make airport tests “immediately” available. He responded to Pasher, saying that a comprehensive inspection of all arriving air travelers would help curb the Covid-19 epidemic.

“Testing negative when you get off the plane doesn’t mean you’re Covid-free,” he said. “But a positive test guarantees better tracking of viruses that invade the state.”

Last month, the Nova Scotia government announced that it was increasing its test capacity to handle 2,500 tests per day.

“If the state has additional testing capabilities, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t test at the airport,” Houston said. “The Point of Entry test is the logical next step in tracking down a virus and preventing it from spreading in the state.”

Health officials are wary of quick tests

According to Chase, Stanfield officials have asked the government to pilot some form of rapid inspection at the airport, but so far there are no signs of it happening.

Over the past two weeks, Nova Scotia has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases and tightened travel-related restrictions in the state.

Related: Nova Scotia tightens Covid-19 restrictions after recent outbreak

Dr. Robert Strang, director of health at Nova Scotia, said more restrictions could come if the virus continued to spread.

He also seems to be wary of quick inspections.

Last week he said The state is considering how to use a rapid “point of care” testBut warned that it might not be the solution they are thinking of.

He said that data from manufacturers’ tests performed under optimal conditions often do not correspond to real-world situations, and rapid tests tend to be less accurate than standard tests.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that you get a negative test for any of these rapid tests. [you] I don’t have a Covid-19, “said Strand, adding that if the state used them, it would have to be used” thoughtfully and very carefully. “

With the rise in cases of Covid-19 across Canada, Pasher acknowledged that keeping Atlantic Canadians safe should remain a top priority for health authorities. But she said airport tests didn’t have to, and shouldn’t.

“I don’t think we’re asking the state government to cast attention and security on the wind in the name of economic recovery, and we can grow. [flight traffic] 10 percent, “she said.

“If we had no other choice, 14 days of self-isolation would be one thing, but we’ve made progress … Now science has evolved, [the right testing regimen] This is a less porosity approach than the current approach. I think it will be even more secure. “