The Ontario government is launching a COVID-19 testing program at Toronto Pearson, starting on January 6, 2021. This pilot program will offer free voluntary tests for international passengers arriving in Canada. Testing will be made available at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, administered by Switch Health.
This Arrivals Testing Pilot Program is another layer of protection for Ontario communities, part of the Healthy Airport program that is helping to limit the spread of COVID-19.
This airport testing pilot program is an important first step, which may also help inform the development of future testing programs for broader implementation to support the eventual safe reopening of borders.
Ontario’s airport testing pilot program is in addition to the new Government of Canada pre-departure requirement for travellers bound to Canada to demonstrate proof of negative COVID-19 results from a test taken within three days prior to departure.
Are you eligible?
Eligible candidates of the pilot include:
Returning Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Travellers arriving on domestic flights into Toronto Pearson International Airport (for example, if you fly from London to Vancouver and then to Toronto, you are not eligible to participate)
Have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days
Do not have an acceptable quarantine plan and/or need to quarantine at a federal quarantine site
Would be spending less than 14 consecutive days in Ontario
How to participate
Before arriving at Toronto Pearson
Complete ArriveCAN App submission
Use ArriveCAN to submit a quarantine plan and contact info before departing for Canada, as required by the Government of Canada. This is a requirement for entry into Canada as of November 21, 2020. This is not related to registration for Ontario’s airport testing pilot program.
Complete Pre-Departure testing requirement
This is a requirement for entry into Canada as of 12:01 a.m. on January 7, 2021. This is not related to registration for Ontario’s airport testing pilot program.
Register with Switch Health for the Arrivals Testing Pilot Program
After arriving and completing the customs process, pick up your luggage and follow directional signage to the testing area.
Travellers who have not pre-registered in advance of arriving in Toronto will have the opportunity to do so directly at the testing site. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to expedite your testing experience.
At the testing area, you will self-administer your test under the supervision of Switch Health tele-nurse. The Switch Health tele-nurse will link your test sample to your Switch Health profile. After completing your test, you must immediately proceed to your quarantine location.
Switch Health will deliver your test sample to its lab for processing. Test results are typically available within 48 hours. When your results are available, you will get a notification through your preferred communication method (i.e. text or email selected at the time of testing) to go to the Switch Health digital platform to view your results.
If your test is negative for COVID-19—and the results of other program participants in your household are negative—you can continue your federally mandated 14-day quarantine. You must also remember to continue to use the ArriveCAN platform to complete your daily health checks.
If your test is positive for COVID-19, or indeterminate, you will be directed to your Public Health unit for COVID-19 case management, which includes continuing the 14-day period in isolation.
Questions and answers
The basics
The program starts on January 6. Testing sites at Terminals 1 and 3 will be open to support all passengers from the first flight to the last flight, daily.
No. The pilot program is completely voluntary. Arrivals testing is another layer of protection, part of the Healthy Airport program that is helping to limit the spread of COVID-19. It is in addition to your pre-departure testing requirement and 14-day quarantine period as mandated through the Government of Canada.
No. Travellers coming to Canada must follow the Government of Canada requirement to take a COVID-19 test in your last point of departure to Canada, within 3 days prior to your departure date and show a negative test result before boarding your plane.
No, all travellers must still complete an ArriveCAN submission, as required by the Government of Canada. As of November 21, 2020, international travellers are required to use the ArriveCAN app to submit a quarantine plan and contact info before departing for Canada.
No. It is anticipated that Ontario’s airport testing pilot program may help inform the development of future testing programs for broader implementation to support the eventual safe reopening of borders.
The passenger experience
Yes, you do need to register. Advance registration is strongly encouraged as it avoids the general registration queue at the airport and can be done online or on your personal mobile device. Passengers who do not register in advance can also sign-up when they arrive at Toronto Pearson.
Step 1: Enroll in the program
Register to participate as a volunteer in the program
Registration can be done in advance of arrival at Toronto Pearson
Registration can also be done on arrival at Toronto Pearson
REMINDER: As of November 21, 2020, international travellers are also required to use the ArriveCAN app to submit a quarantine plan and contact info before departing for Canada. This is not related to registration for the arrivals testing program.
Terminal 1, Level 1, adjacent to the Goodlife Gym. Follow the blue and yellow “Arrivals COVID-19 Testing” signage after collecting your bags.
Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, adjacent to Baggage Hall exit point. Follow the blue and yellow “COVID-19 Testing” signage after collecting your bags.
There is no charge to travellers who participate in the program.
Switch Health will notify you with a text message or email (chosen at the time of testing) once your results are ready to review. Once notified, log on to Switch Health’s patient portal to view your result. You will be able to view, download and print your result via ASMO. If you have questions or concerns, please email Switch Health at results@switchhealth.ca.
Test results should be available within 48 hours through the Switch Health platform, ASMO. You will get a notification from Switch Health through your pre-selected preferred mode of communication that you chose during the registration process (i.e. text, email).
If your test result is either positive or invalid, Switch Health will direct the results to the local Public Health unit for contact tracing and follow up. A Switch Health clinician will call to provide support and guidance. Visit Ontario’s website for public health guidelines.
The test/The science
Switch Health will be conducting the testing in the early stages of the pilot. They are a mobile testing vendor and have the capacity to provide the volumes and meet the timing of the testing that is required for the airport pilot, plus offer supervision by a health care provider either in-person or by video as the traveller takes the test.
Yes. This program is being implemented by the Government of Ontario.
Switch Health use bilateral anterior swabs or nasopharyngeal swabs on a standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing machine. Both tests and equipment are approved by Health Canada. On arrival COVID-19 testing in Toronto Pearson International Airport will be self-administered with the oversight of a registered healthcare worker, trained in specimen collection and handling, and infection prevention. Switch Health’s on-site and telehealth nursing staff will provide step-by-step guidance on self-collection to ensure accuracy of results.
A bilateral anterior swab goes 1-1.5cm into the nasal cavity, the nurse, or the patient, swirls the swab for 15 seconds and then performs the same procedure on the second nasal cavity. This is a less invasive swab and is preferred by many. We request all patients blow their nose immediately prior to the bilateral anterior swab.
A nasopharyngeal swab performed by a nurse will be slightly more sensitive than a bilateral anterior swab performed individually. We request all patients blow their nose prior to their bilateral swab as this increases the accuracy of the results.
Contact
For any other questions related to testing, please email Switch Health at support@switchhealth.ca.
