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Transports Québec outlines controlled access to airport installations

The ministère des Transports, a government ministry responsible for transport, infrastructure and law in Québec, announced access to airport installations in the province is now controlled, which includes guidelines for the general population, air carriers and operators.

Among all Canadian provinces, COVID-19 has hit Québec the hardest with 3,430 confirmed cases, including 25 deaths, according to a tally published by the National Post on the morning of March 31. There are now 7,448 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Canada. Ontario has the second most with 1,706 confirmed, including 33 deaths.

The controlled access measures introduced by Transports Québec applies to flights to all airports (whether they are under provincial, federal or municipal jurisdiction, or private businesses) located in the eight regions where non-essential travel is restricted by the gouvernement du Québec. The restrictions aim to protect these regions from COVID-19.

Non-essential travel to and from the following eight regions is restricted: Bas-Saint-Laurent, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la Baie-James.

Passengers are required to follow three primary guidelines, which private air operators are expected to ensure compliance with:

1. The passenger must not exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19;
2. The airline ticket must be booked beforehand; and
3. Travel must be essential (for work in a service or business considered essential, for humanitarian or health reasons).