On Tuesday afternoon, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos held a press conference announcing additional testing requirements as a result of the Omicron variant.
All air travellers coming into Canada from all countries except for the U.S. will require a negative COVID-19 test upon landing. This requirement also applies to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
No date was provided as to the implementation of the new testing program.
Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to "quarantine while they await the results of their arrival test."
Unvaccinated travellers with right of entry to Canada will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Unvaccinated travellers arriving by air will now be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or "other suitable location" while they await the result of their on arrival test.
“We are announcing today that all air travellers coming from outside Canada, apart from the United States will now need to be tested at the airport in which they are landing in Canada, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated. They will then need to isolate themselves until they get the result of their test,” said Duclos.
Expanded travel ban
In addition, the federal government has expanded its travel restrictions to three more countries: Nigeria, Malawi, and Egypt. These three join seven other countries which were placed under travel restrictions on 26NOV: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique.
Regardless of vaccination status, Canadian citizens and permanent residents re-entering Canada from these countries must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken in a third country before they can arrive. Upon entering, these travellers will be tested again and wait in a designated quarantine accommodation while waiting for a result.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the government will continue to assess the situation and adjust border measures as required.
And how long to “they need to isolate themselves”? And what does that mean? Can I get on the airport shuttle to get my car? Can I stop at Timmies before I drive 400 km to home? Can I get on the Rocket to get to my apartment in High Park? Why are we paying for a negative PCR test if I need to isolate when I land?
Sorry….waiting for these questions from clients tomorrow…sigh
Yes Sheila, well said!