In times when people are stepping out of their comfort zones to travel once again, Canada’s flagship carrier Air Canada is all set to make the process safer and smoother.

The airline has collaborated with the country’s leading pharmacy retailer – Shoppers Drug Mart – to provide Air Canada customers with the opportunity to take a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test in order to comply with international travel requirements.

From December 7th onwards, eligible Air Canada customers can purchase a COVID-19 test at participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

“Many countries now require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test and we are pleased to facilitate this process for our customers, making their travel experience easier and safer by recommending the RT-PCR test at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations. We believe that testing is one of the keys to protecting employees and customers, and an important step to safely reopen travel around the world, easing travel restrictions by providing alternative testing solutions in managing risk.”

Dr. Jim Chung, Chief Medical Officer, Air Canada

This offering by Air Canada is just a part of the safety measures which they had already put into place earlier in the year. Earlier in the year they responded quickly to COVID-19 requiring all passengers to wear face coverings while onboard. Air Canada was also the first airline in the Americas to check passengers’ temperatures prior to boarding. Further, in May they introduced a comprehensive programme called Air Canada CleanCare+ which applied industry leading biosafety measures at every stage of the flight journey.

The COVID-19 RT-PCR tests will be available to passengers who are flying to a destination requiring a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry, such as Hawaii, Bahamas, Antigua etc.