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Border guards' union worried not enough coronavirus screening at ports of entry

The union representing Canada's border guards is concerned by a lack of quarantine officers at ports of entry.

Customs and Immigration Union wants quarantine officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada at more ports

Union officials representing border guards are concerned not enough is being done with respect to coronavirus at ports of entry.

The union representing Canada's border guards is concerned by a lack of quarantine officers at ports of entry.

Enhanced coronavirus screening measures were put in place by the Canada Border Services Agency last week. They include signs and more questions.

But, Mark Weber, first national vice president for the Customs and Immigration Union, said quarantine officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada need to be stationed on site. Currently, many border agents have to call them.

"So essentially how we have it working is we are doing the job of the quarantine officer, with the quarantine officer on the phone in Ottawa," said Weber.

"The concern is that it's the lay person doing the actual observation. It would be similar to you going to see your doctor and your doctor is not there; it's just some person who has a doctor on the phone"

Tap the player to hear more from Weber on CBC's Afternoon Drive:

The Public Health Agency of Canada said employees have been deployed to airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

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