May 19 - Rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing is now available on site at Toronto Pearson for departing passengers, free of charge through a research study.

 

Passengers are responsible to confirm the government entry requirements of their destination, including accepted COVID-19 tests. Read the travel advisory for your destination.

• Testing is available at Terminal 1, 7 days a week from 8am – 4pm
• PCR test results are expected to be ready within 12 hours of the testing appointment
• Passengers are encouraged to make their PCR appointments on the days leading up to their travel day
• Passengers booking a testing appointment on their travel day risk not receiving their results in time to catch their flight
• Appointments per day are limited. Passengers unable to secure an appointment in the predeparture timeframe must make alternative arrangements
• Passengers that test positive for COVID-19 through a PCR test will not be able to travel and will be required to isolate for 14-days

 

PCR tests taken at Toronto Pearson are part of the Departing Passengers Testing Study, researching the efficacy of antigen testing in a live environment by comparing it to rapid PCR test results. This means that at each PCR appointment, participants will receive two tests – both a PCR test and an antigen test. This antigen sample collected is for research only and therefore only the PCR results will be given to the participant for travel use.

 

Testing is made available at the airport as part of a research study supported in part by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). Testing services are made available at the airport through Fionet, together with Alpha Labs, and OnPoint1 Health, and under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor.

 

Eligibility

Rapid PCR testing is available, through the research study, to passengers who:

• Do not have symptoms of COVID-19
• Are 5 years of age or older
• Are travelling to international destinations and are not connecting through Toronto Pearson
• Have a personal electronic device capable of connecting to the internet to view and display test results (such as a smartphone)

 

Note that passengers are responsible to confirm the government entry requirements of their destination. Tests are made available at Toronto Pearson through a research study. Eligibility criteria for the research study may not match passenger destination entry requirements. Please note, should it be determined that passengers do not fall within study eligibility criteria, YYZ reserves the right to deny access to a test.

 

Any participants that meet the following criteria are ineligible to participate:

• Participant unable or unwilling to provide informed consent in the registration process
• Currently exhibiting or have exhibited the following symptoms within 14 days of test appointment: Fever, chills, cough or worsening of chronic cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, loss of sense of smell or taste
• Current diagnosis of respiratory illness or diagnosis of respiratory illness within 14 days of test appointment
• Frequent nosebleeds (more than 2 per month) and/or active nosebleed within 24 hours of the test appointment
• Nasal surgery within previous 3 months
• Acute facial trauma or injury
• Unable, or unwilling, to provide required sample
• Investigator believes participant is unsuitable for inclusion in the study (i.e., has serious condition(s) or other reason(s) that could limit their ability to participate in the study; or impact the scientific integrity of the study)

 

Steps to book your Departing Passenger Testing Study PCR appointment

• Before you get to the airport, use the Fionet Platform to:           > Register and create a profile           > Book an appointment • Arrive at Terminal 1:           > Check in for your appointment           > Get tested           > Wait until you get your results notification via text or email • View your results through your Fionet profile

Register for a test on the fionet platform

 

Results

PCR results show COVID-19 virus not detected:

• Negative results mean you can continue with your travel plans
• You will be required to show your results certificate demonstrating your negative result to your airline as part of your boarding requirements
• Your airline will advise if you require a hard copy; please note, YYZ cannot print your results certificate at the airport

 

PCR results show indeterminate for COVID-19 virus:

• On rare occasions, a PCR sample may produce an indeterminate result
• You cannot use an indeterminate result to travel
• The lab technicians will work as quickly as possible to run your sample through the process again. YYZ appreciates your patience while they re-run the process
• Should the second run of your indeterminate sample produce another indeterminate result, you will be required to test again to provide a new sample
• If you are at the airport when you receive a second indeterminate PCR result:
          > Go to the Testing Information Booth and wait for a staff member
          > They will allow you to skip the line to test again right away
• If you’re at home when you receive your indeterminate PCR result:
          > To take a new test at the airport, please book another appointment through your Fionet profile
          > Or you can choose to take a test at a different public health testing facility

 

PCR results show COVID-19 virus detected

• If your PCR test is positive for COVID-19, you cannot travel and must immediately begin a 14-day isolation period
• You are responsible to contact your airline by phone to change your travel plans
• Positive PCR results are reported into Ontario Health System and Public Health will follow up with you directly once you are in your quarantine period
• For more information about self-isolation, read the guidance from the Region of Peel

 

Leaving the airport after a positive result

• YYZ recommends you leave the airport in a private vehicle
• If you do not have a private vehicle, you may call City Taxi Toronto at 416-740-2222 to be safely transported
          > Pick-up locations are Terminal 1, Level 1, Door E and Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, Door A
          > Please note City Taxi Toronto will be using vans where only the furthest back seat is available for use, in order to ensure a safe distance between the positive passenger and the driver
          > The cost of the transport is the responsibility of the passenger and is part of the zoned, flat-rate system

 

Contact information

• Questions about your travel journey or accessing the testing centre? Call Toronto Pearson Customer Service: 416-247-7678 • Questions about testing services or technical issues with the Fionet Platform? Call Fionet Support Service: 647-490-0371

 

For more information, please visit torontopearson.com

 

 

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