Canada is among numerous countries which have imposed temporary requirements for incoming pax from China, Hong Kong and Macau to provide a negative test prior to departure.
Ottawa announced the decision on 31DEC. It followed China’s announcement earlier in the week that it was reopening to travel beginning 08JAN, after one of the longest and strictest border shutdowns of the pandemic. China’s reopening follows the abrupt dropping of its ‘zero-COVID’ measures in DEC and a reported huge spike in cases in the country.
The U.S., U.K., several EU countries, Australia, Morocco, India and Japan are among those also imposing COVID restrictions on travellers from China.
As Skift reports, countries worry about “a lack of information from China on variants and are concerned about a wave of infections. China has rejected criticism of its COVID data.”
Canada’s Rules
As of 05JAN, anyone over 2 years of age, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, travelling on flights from China, Hong Kong or Macao, will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure. PCR tests or monitored antigen tests are acceptable. (More information is available from the government of Canada here.) Failure to do so will result in the passenger being denied boarding. The use of the ArriveCAN app will not be required.
The government of Canada says the requirement will be in place for 30 days and will be reassessed.
“The safety of travellers and the transportation industry remain top priorities," said Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, in a statement. "Our Government continues to take unprecedented action to protect the health and safety of Canadians by introducing measures to prevent further introduction and transmission of COVID-19 into Canada. We will adapt our measures based on available data, the science, and the epidemiological situation in our country and globally to protect Canadians.”
“The safety and security of Canadians is always our government’s top priority. Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve implemented strong measures at Canada’s border to limit the spread of COVID-19, and that continues now. As the situation evolves, we'll continue to take appropriate action because that's what Canadians expect,” added Marco Mendicino, Canada's Minister of Public Safety.
On 23DEC, 2022, Ottawa also posted a Level 2 travel health notice for Chinese New Year, with recommendations to take extra health precautions for COVID-19 in China, due to the recent lifting of many COVID-19 restrictions in that country.
