Type of Intervention: New Tool / Service / Body
Sectors Involved: Health, Supply Chains
Intervention Categories: Surveillance and response measures; Detecting and isolating cases
Level of Jurisdiction: Ontario
Lead People/Agency: Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health; Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation
Overview: The Ontario government is partnering with DriverCheck, a private company that currently performs drug and alcohol testing in the trucking industry. The Ontario government and DriverCheck are piloting a new system that will make it easier for truck drivers to access voluntary COVID-19 testing on a first-come, first-serve basis. Testing will be available at high-traffic locations and a mobile option will also be provided. The project will commence July 8, 2020, through to September 8, 2020.
Full details here: https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2020/07/ontario-makes-it-easier-for-truck-drivers-to-get-tested-for-covid-19.html
Other links: 1 2
Type of Justification: statements by government officials
Evidence/Justification: There is no evidence provided to justify the pilot project. However, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Transportation provided statements to justify this project. They explained that increasing access to testing for truck drivers will enhance case finding and allow for earlier intervention, helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, it is explained that this project aims to help keep truck drivers safe as they move essential goods through the province and across the US border.