International travellers returning to Alberta will be required to undergo some additional measures upon arrival.

Premier Jason Kenney announced some strengthened airport protections on Wednesday for both the Calgary and Edmonton airports. Effective immediately, international travellers will need to pass a provincial checkpoint, undergo a thermal screen to check for fever, and provide a provincial isolation plan.

The federal government's Global Travel Advisory remains in place, which calls on Canadians to avoid non-essential international travel until further notice. However, Kenney says approximately 400 people are still arriving in Alberta airports every week from abroad.

According to public health measures that have been in place since March 25, all international travellers returning to Alberta must self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.

airport protections

 

If necessary, Kenney says provincial officials will help travellers access support to meet isolation requirements, including providing hotel accommodations for those who do not have adequate support or an adequate self-isolation plan.

It's estimated these measures will cost approximately $800,000 through August 31, says Kenney.

Both the Calgary and Edmonton airports are also implementing enhanced cleaning protocols.

Airport protections

Within a couple of weeks, a similar provincial checkpoint will also be put in place at the Alberta-US Coutts border crossing to ensure those entering Alberta are aware of the provincial protocols in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the ban on non-essential border crossings between Canada and the US will continue until at least June 21.