MONTREAL — Following yesterday’s news of a possible rapid COVID-19 test in the works, Air Canada has announced a new partnership with Cleveland Clinic to develop biosafety measures across its operations.

As the Medical Advisor to Air Canada, Cleveland Clinic will provide access to leading expertise on infectious exposure and toxicology, pandemic and infrastructure response planning and prevention, medical contingency plans and process development, and crisis and organizational risk management.

On the new partnership, Samuel Elfassy, Vice President, Safety at Air Canada, said: “As airline travel adapts to a new normal, we are taking another leadership role via our partnership with renowned Cleveland Clinic, which enables Air Canada to leverage the strategic insight, advice, resources and recommendations of the world’s leading medical community to further develop protocols, guidelines and standards validated with science-based evidence in our ongoing COVID-19 response. We are committed in our ongoing strategy of continually developing multiple layers of measures for our customers and employees alike.”

Michael Kessel, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic Canada, added: “As the public begins to adjust to a world that’s been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety is of the utmost importance. It is an honour to use our 99 years of clinical expertise to support Canadian organizations in a way that helps protect our communities.”

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. It has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States.