Greater Moncton Airport Now Offering Onsite Covid-19 Testing
MONCTON — The Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport announced Wednesday it is now offering Covid-19 tests to all travellers flying in and out of the airport.
In an interview with Huddle, Airport President and CEO Bernard LeBlanc said the tests will be offered by Distribution Ad Valorem, a Quebec-based medical distribution company.
“We really see it as something that could be beneficial to users of the airport,” said LeBlanc. “A lot of jurisdictions require that you show proof of a negative Covid test on arrival, so this makes it a lot easier for passengers.”
With its New Brunswick partner Soins PROXYMA Care, Distribution Ad Valorem will offer two types of rapid Covid tests, which can deliver results in 15 minutes, or a PCR test where results take between 24 to 48 hours.
Depending on which test travellers take, it’ll cost between $149 to $299.
The pilot project, which is slated to last 12 weeks, could be extended if there is enough client demand, according to Annie Francoeur, CEO of PROXYMA Care, in a release.
“The goal is to provide travellers with a fast and efficient full service directly at the airport, ensuring they meet national and international COVID-19 testing requirements,” said Francoeur in the release.
Even though New Brunswick is working toward removing Covid-19 health restrictions by the end of this summer, LeBlanc said offering tests will still be crucial for travellers flying from New Brunswick to other jurisdictions. As for incoming flights, the lines are hazy.
“One of the uncertainties in Canada right now is international traffic is restricted to four airports in Canada, and those are undertaking Covid testing on arrival,” he said. “So we don’t have any clarity yet on what the federal government may require if we have international flights.”
At a Covid-19 press conference on Wednesday afternoon, New Brunswick’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, said domestic and international travel requirements are under federal jurisdiction, so provincial health officials don’t have plans to hold testing on-site at local airports. Still, she said PCR tests for travel are available at all local assessment centres and she encourages travellers to plan ahead prior to their flights to meet travel guidelines based on test results.
When looking at typical traffic through the Moncton airport, LeBlanc said it’s close to 700,000 passengers a year, adding that approximately one-quarter of them — or around 90,000 — are international travellers.
Individuals flying to the United States need to show proof of a negative test result, and the same goes for most countries in Europe. With the pilot project, it will give the airport testing experience in case the authority is required to offer service to international flights arriving in Moncton.
“It is a good opportunity to help the travelling public, especially when we see the restrictions easing in New Brunswick,” said LeBlanc. “Then we’ll see what the demand is and if it’s a viable service going forward.
The screening center, located just before the security desk at the Moncton airport, will be open from Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Aaron Sousa is a summer intern for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].