North Star Air
Changes have been made if you are planning to board a North Star Air flight at airports in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.
The company is the first regional airline in Northwestern Ontario to offer free but mandated COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Screening for all passengers prior to boarding their flight.
The rapid screening, with results in as little as fifteen minutes, will supplement and not replace existing requirements for health questionnaires, temperature checks and facemasks.
North Star Air President Jeff Stout says this is another layer of protection to keep their customers, communities and staff safe.
Stout adds support from area First Nations they serve has been overwhelming and remote communities have been looking for a program like this to stop the spread of the virus.
He notes there are costs that the airline will need to absorb and he’s calling on all levels of government to provide financial assistance.
Stout stresses this should be a cost neutral service for the customer and the airline.
Harvey Yesno of Eabametoong First Nation says, “We’ve stepped up the layers of protection for the good of the North. Our communities have always been concerned and employing various protocols to minimize the spread of COVID within their communities. This is very much needed.”
