Starting July 30th, four major Canadian airports will be taking passengers’ temperatures as part of the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. The federal government says temperature screening stations are set up at airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

Transport Canada says temperature screening will be expanded to another 11 airports by September.

The agency says employees who enter restricted areas of the airport will also be screened.

Passengers who have temperatures above 38 degrees will not be allowed to travel and will be asked to re-book after two weeks. The new screening measures are meant to supplement previous travel safety precautions, including a requirement for all travellers to wear face masks.

Transport Canada’s website says, “Within Canada, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority screeners will conduct the temperature screening of passengers as part of departure screening procedures. Temperature screening will take place at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority screening points, before travellers are allowed into the restricted area of the air terminal building.

“If a traveller is identified with an elevated temperature and is unable to present a medical certificate that provides a rationale for the elevated temperature, they will be sent to a dedicated location that respects physical distancing guidelines for a ten-minute rest period, followed by a second temperature reading.

“Should the second reading confirm an elevated temperature, and unless the passenger has a medical certificate explaining a medical or physical condition for that elevated temperature, the passenger will be denied entry into the critical restricted area and receive guidance on the requirement to re-book with their air operator after 14 days, as well as how they can seek additional health information.”

There are several questions here, and we are trying to find the answers, but no response yet, so for today we can only ask:

• Will airlines refund or rebook passengers – and at what cost?

• Will tour operators, cruise lines (when they set sail) refund or rebook passengers – and at what cost?

• What happens if there is no space to be had when the passenger is ready to travel again?

• What if there is a price differential?

• Will any parties travelling with the passenger be denied travel, or if they decline to travel, what is their risk/cost?

• What happens if the passenger takes longer than two weeks to recover?

• What happens if the passenger is not at their home gateway, are they liable for their quarantine expenses?

• What happens if they cannot afford to self-quarantine at a hotel?

• Where will the passengers be sent?

There is no question safety measures should be in place, but there has to be some consideration as to the consequences.