YLW calls on Ottawa to reevaluate COVID-19 protocols for international travellers
Global News
YLW's airport director says COVID-19 testing for international travellers needs to be shifted to their destination communities.
Working with International travellers navigating COVID-19 protocols, testing requirements, and quarantine plans is tough, says the airport director at Kelowna International Airport.
“Right now it’s a mess. It’s very difficult for the traveling public,” said Sam Samaddar.
The airport is calling on the federal government to review COVID-19 protocols for international travel.
“Why do you need to test passengers arriving on international flights when they’ve already been tested before they board the flight?,” said Samaddar.
He wonders why the federal government is seemingly wasting COVID-19 tests on international arrivals while winding down community testing inside the country.
“We have this domestic need where we don’t have enough testing available in the community,” said Samaddar.
Global News has heard from air travelers that international COVID-19 protocols have also deterred them from flying internationally.
“We started this process to go to Punta Cana back in July hoping this would be all over with and it’s just snowballed more. I canceled that trip,” said Terry Marshak, a passenger at YLW.