THUNDER BAY – International air travelers will soon be required to show proof of an approved, negative COVID-19 test before being allowed to board a plane destined for Canada.
The new regulation, announced on Thursday by the federal government, comes into effect on Thursday.
Non-essential travel has been frowned upon since the pandemic began, with land and sea borders closed to all but essential travellers.
Air travel, however, has been permitted, with the caveat that anyone entering the country must self-quarantine for 14 days.
That wasn’t enough to satisfy some provincial leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who earlier this week threatened to start testing passengers arriving at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
The new rules require anyone five and older to test negative for COVID-19 before being permitted to travel to Canada from another country, once the new rules come into effect next week.
According to the release, documentation of a negative laboratory test must be presented to the airline before they’ll be allowed to board a plane. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) and must be taken within 72 hours of the would-be traveler’s scheduled departure date.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said it’s another layer of protection for Canadians.
“Since the emergence of COVID-19, we have had in place strong measures to prevent the importation of COVID-19 cases. Starting on January 7, we will require travellers coming to Canada to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding their flight. The 14-day quarantine will also remain in place. We can all work together to save lives. Stay in Canada and follow public health guidelines to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community,” Hajdu said in a release.
Travelers are responsible for covering any associated costs of the test, which depending on the country they’re in, could cost hundreds of dollars.
The federal government will continue to review quarantine plans and if deemed unsuitable, will be required to spend the 14 days at a federal quarantine facility. Additionally, all travelers entering Canada must use the ArriveCAN app or website and provide accurate contact information prior to entry. Quarantine violators can face fines of up to $750,000 or spend up to six months in jail, under the Quarntine Act.
The new regulations were met with concern from the Opposition Conservatives. Several Conservative MP critics, including Michelle Rempel Garner, the shadow minister of health, Stephanie Kusie, the shadow minister for transportation, and Pierre Paul-Hus, shadow minister for public services and procurement, issued a statement bashing the decision and its implementation.
In a release, the four MPs questioned why Canada couldn’t put post-arrival testing protocols in place, rather than leaving Canadians abroad, along with the airlines, “in mass confusion.”
“The Liberals' new bright idea is to have international airline workers with no ties to Canada act as COVID-19 screening agents. The lack of rationale, clarity and confusion created by the Liberal government's half-baked announcement leaves airline workers and Canadians abroad in limbo,” the Conservative release states.
“Choosing to use unverifiable test certificates issued abroad, as opposed to post arrival screening conducted by Canadian authorities, is populist policy designed to quell new headlines and put airline workers out of a job, as opposed to delivering solid public health outcomes for Canadians.”
Canadians who can prove there was no testing facility available at or near their destination will be permitted to board, according to a CTV report.
