New COVID19 Testing Requirements
Starting January 7, 2021, anyone flying to Canada from another
country, aged 5 and older, will be required to provide written or
electronic documentation showing they received a negative result
from a COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to their
scheduled boarding. The test must be performed using a
COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Persons
who are travelling from a country where PCR testing is unavailable
will be required to report to a designated Public Health Agency of
Canada quarantine facility for the duration of their mandatory
14-day quarantine. The special circumstances only apply to
countries where PCR is completely unavailable, and no allowances
will be made to accommodate processing delays.
The test result must be from a lab accredited by an external
organization (e.g., a government, a professional association or ISO
accreditation). Only written or electronic proof of a negative lab
test result (PCR test) conducted within 72 hours prior to boarding
a flight to Canada will be accepted. Passengers who do not provide
proof of a negative test result will be denied boarding. The test
does not replace existing requirements to complete quarantine
details via ArriveCan application, and to quarantine for 14 days
upon arrival.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.