Ontario City Is Asking Anyone Who Travelled Out Of The Region To Get A COVID-19 Test

Residents of one Ontario region are now being asked to get a COVID-19 test if they have travelled outside the region.

KFL&A Public Health, located in Kingston, warned travellers on Monday of a new variant of the virus, which is "easily transmissible."

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It is crucial that we alter our COVID-19 control strategies and recommend asymptomatic testing to those who have travelled or had visitors from outside our region. Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health

In a press release, the region warns that the first case of the B.1.1.7 variant, which originated in the U.K., has been reported.  

As a result, public health officials are reportedly pursuing a "more proactive" approach to case and contact management.

The measures include extending the isolation period to 14 days for all confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19

Public Health is also asking anyone who travelled outside of the region or had visitors to also get tested, even if they are asymptomatic. 

"The continued efforts of individuals and families to stay home, stay local, and to not travel unless for essential purposes will help keep the number of positive cases low in our area," Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health stated. 

The first known cases of the new COVID-19 virus variant in Ontario was reported in the Durham region last month.

The couple who tested positive are reportedly facing charges for withholding contact tracing information from the Ministry of Health.