Notice to passengers – COVID-19 Latest Updates and Measures at YUL

Through the following link, you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions about the coronavirus (COVID-19) : Frequently Asked Questions (COVID-19)

Latest Updates

NOTICE : The Government of Canada is asking that all travellers have a removable non-medical mask or face covering during their travel through Canadian airports and in-flight.

NOTICE: The Government of Canada updates mandatory requirements for travellers entering Canada.

NOTICE: The Public Health Agency of Canada has asked Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada and stated that any traveller (Canadian or non-Canadian) arriving in Canada will face a mandatory self-isolation period of 14 days.

NOTICE: The Government of Canada has announced the temporary closure of the Canada-US border for all non essential travel.

NOTICE: The Government of Canada has announced a ban on the entry by air of foreign nationals from all countries.

NOTICE: The Minister of Foreign Affairs recommends that Canadian travellers return to Canada via commercial means while they remain available.

NOTICE: Nunavik Public Security and Public Health authorities enforce new restrictive measures on flights..

ArriveCAN

YUL encourage you to use the ArriveCAN application in order to reduce handling of paper documents and to facilitate your return.

The mobile app is currently available in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

It is accessible and can be downloaded and installed for free on:
- iPhones running iOS 12 or above; and
- Android phones and tablets running OS 6 and above.

It is also available as a web application that can be accessed through any laptop or desktop computer browser.

Measures implemented at YUL

ADM Aéroports de Montréal is aware that passengers may have concerns regarding the coronavirus and wishes to point out that the health and safety of passengers, employees and airport visitors is a priority.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with international partners, including the World Health Organization, to closely monitor the situation. 

The PHAC is the agency responsible for decisions about health-related screening of passengers at Canada’s airports. It is currently implementing several measures at Canadian airports.

At YUL, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, the PHAC has launched an awareness campaign by posting messages on arrivals screens reminding passengers to inform a border services officer if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Additional questions have been added at electronic border kiosks in the customs hall. Flyers are being distributed to travellers and the PHAC also has screening officers on site. In addition, the PHAC has set up an information kiosk at international arrivals for passengers and employees. Qualified personnel are on site from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to answer questions. For more information about the measures in place, please click here.

ADM is also complying with the Québec government’s recommendations:

More specifically, ADM has put in place additional measures in the terminal and adapted maintenance procedures to passenger flows.

• Increased disinfection frequencies in areas where passengers circulate daily;
• Complete disinfection of the primary inspection area after the passage of certain targeted flights;
• Addition of disinfectant gel dispensers, particularly in the arrivals corridor, the border services hall, and the baggage carousel area;
• Removal of 90% of baggage carts to ensure more efficient cleaning;
• Removal of all shopping carts in the international departures area;
• Cleaning crews available to respond and add additional frequencies;
• Hand washing signage campaign deployed in all washrooms in the terminal building.

ADM has also put mechanisms in place to minimize the number of passengers processed in the primary inspection area upon the arrival of international flights during peak periods. In addition, to make travellers aware of compliance with social distancing rules, a poster campaign and a message on the public announcement system have been deployed in the busiest areas of the terminal.

Since March 16, messages regarding the importance of the 14-day self-isolation are deployed in the terminal through signage and the public announcement system. Additional signage is also in place in the terminal.

For passengers:

At departures level, only doors 2-4-7 and 10 are open to access the terminal. Each door is equipped with its own hand-washing station.

For meeters and greeters:

ADM requests everyone's collaboration so that only passengers with essential travel and employees ensuring operations are present at YUL. 

Departures level: Meeters and greeters should drop off passengers at doors 2-4-7 or 10, without entering the terminal.

Arrivals level: Meeters and greeters can use the CellParc while waiting for passengers to arrive and pick them up at the pick-up zone, respecting social distancing.  

Restaurants

Following the Québec government's new recommendations to limit the spread of COVID-19, please note that many stores are temporarily closed and that only some restaurants offering take-out food will remain open for the time being.

Now that YUL has been designated by the Government of Canada as one of four Canadian airports authorized to receive aircraft from overseas, the priority is to maintain essential services at the airport to facilitate the prompt and safe return of Canadians. Because of this, a few restaurants remain open in the terminal.

To consult the complete list showing the current status of all businesses in the terminal : Notice to passengers - Temporary business closures

Passenger parking

Effective March 16, the shuttle service is available only to passengers returning to the country who had parked a vehicle in one of YUL’s remote parking lots. Additional measures have also been implemented:

• All EconoParc parking lots (P5-P6-P7-P8-P9) have been closed indefinitely to limit the use of passenger shuttle buses.
• The only passenger parking facility available is the multi-level parking lot located in front of the terminal building, and within walking distance.
• Shuttle buses are being cleaned more frequently.
• Users must comply with the recommended voluntary distance of 1 metre.

New measures at Canadian airports

On March 16, the Government of Canada announced new measures at Canadian airports:

Travelling by air in Canada and from Canada

No traveller who is symptomatic of COVID-19 will be allowed to fly. Health Check consists of questions and visual observation.

This measure will come into effect on March 30, at noon ED

Screening measures
Air carriers will question all passengers about their medical condition and will deny boarding to any traveller who shows symptoms - regardless of citizenship status - and prevent them from boarding international flights to Canada, domestic flight, including a transborder flight.

Air carriers will fully implement these measures by 12:01 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 19.

The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller's symptoms are not related to COVID-19. These measures will apply to aircraft with 10 seats or more.

This measure will come into effect on March 30, at noon ED

Consolidation of inbound international flights at four major hub airports, including YUL
The Government will redirect the arrivals of certain international passenger flights to four airports: Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, and Calgary International Airport.

Domestic flights, as well as flights from the United States, sun destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean, and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, are not affected by these measures and can continue to follow their current routes and land at their current destinations in Canada. 

Both the Canada Border Services Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada will ensure that their resources at these four airports are sufficiently increased.

These changes will come into force on Wednesday, March 18, at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

Medical procedures on board and on landing
Arrival airports will have to isolate any passengers who show symptoms immediately upon deplaning so that they do not mix with other passengers in the arrivals area and the customs hall.

Enhanced screening measures at airports will include stronger and more visible messages, health screening questions at kiosks, roving Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers screening arriving passengers, and CBSA officers screening departing passengers in the customs hall to ensure public health messages are delivered and reinforced.

Mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all arrivals
The PHAC is asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada and any traveller arriving in Canada to self-isolate for 14 days, with notable exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people.

Only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to use public transportation or one of the taxi, Uber, EVA or limousine services to leave the airport.

People who present symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 are not allowed to use public transportation to get to their place of isolation. Symptomatic individuals are assessed by a quarantine officer who will make the necessary arrangements.

For more details on these new initiatives: New measures for COVID-19 response

What you can do

Public health agencies in Canada and Québec reiterate that hand washing remains a good way to protect yourself from infectious diseases.

• Wash your hands often
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette

If you are feeling sick when you return to Canada, you must tell a border services officer when you arrive.

Mandatory self-isolation for 14 days is imposed for anyone returning from abroad. Returning travellers must be vigilant and monitor themselves for symptoms.

More prevention advice is available here.

Useful Links

You may be at risk of COVID-19 exposure if you have recently travelled or attended a public gathering where cases have been confirmed. Being aware of your exposure risk can help you take the necessary steps to protect your health and the health of others around you. PHAC has a new web page that will allow you to determine if you have been exposed to COVID-19 and also offers you a COVID-19 assessment tool.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health provider or call 1-877-644-4545. For information about the coronavirus, you can contact the PHAC at 1-833-784-4397 or by email at phac.info.aspc@canada.ca. A travel advisory is also available here.

ADM is continuing to work closely with the PHAC, and will provide updated information as it becomes available.