Toronto (December 23, 2021) — Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is proud to announce that COVID-19 testing services are now available to departing passengers. The service is available for a fee of $60 plus HST and is possible due to a new partnership with Switch Health that will see a new clinic established in the mainland pavilion at Billy Bishop Airport. This is part of the Billy Bishop Airport Safe Travels Program – which achieved accreditation under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation program in August 2021 and endeavours to provide a safe and healthy experience for passengers, staff and visitors alike.
Switch Health has been at the forefront of Canada's fight against COVID-19, providing at-home and mobile COVID-19 testing services at airports and ports of entry across Canada. At the Billy Bishop Airport clinic, Switch Health will offer rapid antigen testing with results available within 30-60 minutes. Switch Health is also in operation at airports such as Toronto Pearson International Airport and Calgary International Airport.
Passengers requiring testing services can learn more and/or book services in advance through the
online portal.
Note: The testing is intended for those not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but requiring proof of a negative result for travelling. Those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are not permitted to enter Billy Bishop Airport and should seek testing through an appropriate testing facility, which can be found here.
Quotes
“We are proud to be partnering with Switch Health to provide on-site testing for passengers complying with travel requirements. Building on our Safe Travels Program, this new clinic is just another example of our commitment to providing a safe, healthy airport experience for travellers.”
- Gene Cabral, Executive Vice-President, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and PortsToronto
“Operationalizing our COVID-19 testing clinic at Billy Bishop Airport is an exciting milestone for us. The Switch Health Team is proud to partner with PortsToronto to offer quick and convenient testing solutions to departing travelers and the surrounding community.”
- Kyle Tettman, Senior Vice President, Switch Health
Quick Facts
- Billy Bishop Airport has partnered with Switch Health to provide on-site COVID-19 testing for passengers for a fee. Located within the mainland pavilion, the Departures Clinic is offering rapid antigen testing with results available within 30-60 minutes. Book in advance through the online portal.
- This testing service is intended for passengers without symptoms and is available for a fee. The cost of the testing is $60 plus HST.
- ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program assists airports by assessing new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force recommendations. Areas of assessment for accreditation include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.
- Billy Bishop Airport launched its Safe Travels Program in August 2020 to ensure that all necessary precautions and public health protocols associated with air travel were in place. This program is complemented by programs in place with each of its carriers – Porter Airlines’ Healthy Flights program and Air Canada’s CleanCare+ program, and is inclusive of all airport partners including Nieuport Aviation (terminal owners/operators); Stolport (parking) as well as government agencies including CATSA (screening and security) and CBSA (border protection).
About Switch Health
Switch Health Holdings Inc. (Switch Health) is an industry leader that is transforming how healthcare is delivered in Canada through cutting-edge decentralized next-generation diagnostics and patient-focused digital solutions. Switch Health developed an end-to-end, innovative, and accessible testing solution in Canada’s fight against COVID-19, with its at-home and mobile collection kit to test Canadians safely, rapidly, and reliably for COVID-19. Switch Health offers its gold standard of rapid and PCR testing in over 200 languages from the comfort peoples’ homes or workplaces, with the guidance of trusted healthcare professionals and the delivery of results through some of Canada’s top laboratories.
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver to Toronto’s economy, generating more than $470 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year and supporting 4,740 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport operations. Billy Bishop Airport is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency and customer service and has won a series of passenger-driven awards.
About PortsToronto
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $12 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Pellerin
Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs
PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail:
jpellerin@portstoronto.com