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Coronavirus updates. Learn more about Swoop's response.

Travel Restrictions and Guidelines

Masks are mandatory

In support of Transport Canada regulations, Swoop requires all travellers over the age of two, to wear a non-medical mask or face covering at all times in the airport and on board. Masks with an exhalation vent are not acceptable face coverings.

Learn more about acceptable masks you can bring from home, or pick up a disposable mask at Airport Check-in for a minimum suggested donation of $2 with all proceeds benefiting The Frontline Fund.

Mask policy

In accordance with Transport Canada directives Swoop requires all travellers, over two years of age, to:

  • Show they have a non-medical mask or face covering at time of boarding

  • Wear their face covering/mask at all times during their flight

  • Follow the instructions laid out by in-flight crew members about wearing their face covering/mask at all times

  • Children between the ages of two and five will be required to have a mask on their person and will be highly encouraged to wear a mask at all times. If a child between the ages of two and five is unable to tolerate wearing a mask, it will not need to be enforced. All children over five years of age will be required to wear a mask.

Effective September 1, 2020, failure to comply with mandatory mask requirements may result in penalties including denied boarding, aircraft returning to the gate to offload non-compliant passengers and/or the suspension of travel on any WestJet Group aircraft for up to one year. The WestJet Group includes Swoop, WestJet, WestJet Encore and WestJet Link.

Passengers are permitted to remove their non-medical mask or face covering briefly while in-flight to eat, drink or take oral medication. In the case of eating/drinking, a timeframe of no longer than 15 minutes has been recommended to limit prolonged exposure. The crew will ask passengers to put their masks back on should a “brief” period be exceeded. Exceptional cases will of course arise where flexibility will be required.

Medical exemptions

Travellers over the age of two, who are unable to wear a non-medical mask or face covering for a medical reason, are required to show a valid medical certificate as per new measures announced by Transport Canada. The medical certificate must clearly state they have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask and be presented for verification at pre-board screening and during the boarding process. If the traveller does not present a valid medical certificate, they will be denied boarding.

Valid Medical Certificate Requirements:

  • Must be issued by a physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, or physician assistant

  • Must be on official letterhead

  • Must be dated

  • Must clearly state the traveller’s name and that they have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face mask

Acceptable face coverings

Acceptable face coverings must:

  • Be made of multiple layers of tightly-woven material (such as cotton or linen)

  • Completely and comfortably cover the nose, mouth and chin without gaping

  • Fit securely on the head with ties or ear loops

  • Allow for easy breathing

  • Be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty

  • The portion of a face mask in front of a wearer's lips may be made of transparent material that permits lip reading if

    • the rest of the face mask is made of multiple layers of tightly woven materials such as cotton or linen; and

    • there is a tight seal between the transparent material and the rest of the face mask

When using a removable cloth face covering or mask:

  • Practice careful hand hygiene by washing your hands immediately before putting on your mask, and immediately after removing it

  • Maintain careful hand hygiene while wearing a mask

  • Ensure the mask is well-fitting (no big gaps)

  • Avoid touching the face covering or mask while you're wearing it

  • Never share your removable face covering or non-medical mask with others

  • Change your cloth face covering or mask as soon as it gets damp or soiled

For more information, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website.

Non-contact temperature checks

All Swoop travellers, aged two years and older, will undergo an infrared temperature check before boarding. This is a non-contact temperature check that will be done at the gate or prior to the security screening to ensure the health and safety of all Swoop travellers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In the case of a gate verification, Swoop’s temperature reference is 38°C and above, which is considered above normal body temperature and the guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Any traveller who displays a temperature of 38⁰C or higher will not be permitted to enter the restricted area and will be denied boarding.

Travellers who display an elevated temperature during the screening will not be permitted to board a flight to Canada or must not enter a restricted area at any airport in Canada, for a period of 14-days, unless a medical certificate certifying that the elevated temperature is not related to COVID-19 is provided.

By checking into your flight, you are confirming your understanding of this policy.

These temperature checks act as an additional layer of precaution to ensure the health and safety of our Swoop travellers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The hand-held infrared thermometres do not store the temperature readout or identifying personal information.

Contact tracing

The safety of our travellers and crew is our top priority. If you were seated within 3 rows of the affected seat, our customer service team will notify the primary contact on the reservation with further details.

Covid-19 impacted flights

Jamaican Government travel authorization

The Jamaican Government requires that all passengers travelling to Jamaica (both Jamaicans and non-nationals) must obtain a travel authorization within 5 days of departure.

Foreign nationals can apply at https://www.visitjamaica.com/. Residents of Jamaica can apply at https://jamcovid19.moh.gov.jm/immigration.html.

Travellers will need to save the electronic or printed copy of the Travel Authorization for the airline agent at check-in, or when boarding your flight to confirm acceptance for travel.

For travel after August 20, travellers from the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Brazil are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 10 days of travel in order to obtain a Jamaican Travel Authorization. Travel to Jamaica from Canada does not require COVID-19 negative testing.