OTTAWA — The federal government is eliminating the pre-arrival PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers startinxjmtzywg Feb. 28, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Tuesday.
Travellers can instead opt for a rapid antigen test approved by the country they are coming from.
Currently, all travellers – regardless of vaccine status – must provide proof of a negative molecular test, such as a PCR test, within 72 hours of their scheduled flight or land entry into Canada.
Travellers may still be selected for random testing upon arrival.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos is expected to announce major changes to the border measures designed to counter to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 at 1 p.m. EST.
Currently, the government advises against all non-essential international travel because of the threat posted by the Omicron variant.
Foreign nationals coming to Canada and people travelling within the country by plane, passenger train or boat must be vaccinated against COVID-19, with few exceptions.
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Right now vaccinated international travellers are subject to COVID-19 test requirements before they cross the border, and potentially again once they arrive at a Canadian airport.
Travellers who have been outside Canada or the United States are also required to quarantine until their post-arrival test comes back negative.
Duclos suggested at a news conference last week the measures would be tweaked, saying the worst of the Omicron wave is now behind us.
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A man wearing a mask and full face shield talks on the phone at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on June 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
