Alberta Pilot Program – Quarantine Exemption Based On Rapid COVID-19 Testing

Today, the Alberta Provincial and Canadian Federal Government announced a joint pilot program in Alberta whereby certain travellers arriving at Calgary International Airport or the Coutts land port-of-entry may be exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirement based on testing negative upon arrival via the pilot program's rapid testing for COVID-19 and if the traveller commits to specific health and testing measures.

The Alberta pilot program is a first of its kind partnership with the Government and Canada to safely explore ways to reduce quarantine requirements for travellers while still protecting Albertans from COVID-19.

Currently, under Canada's Quarantine Act, travellers returning to Canada are legally required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival unless the traveller fits one of the following "essential service" exceptions denoted in paragraph 6(e) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 3: