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Canada To Restart Mandatory Random Covid-19 Testing At 4 International Airports

by Sushmita Mahanta
Canada To Restart Mandatory Random Covid-19 Testing At 4 International Airports

Starting July 19, 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers entering Canada through 4 major international airports, will be again subjected to mandatory random COVID-19 testing. The policy was temporarily suspended on June 11, 2022, due to long delays at airports. But it will resume again in Canada’s four major Canadian airports – Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. Read on to know more about the statement of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Individuals Can Get The Tests Either In In-person Or Use A Self-swab Test

The Public Health Agency of Canada recently revealed in an official statement that all the travellers (fully, partially or unvaccinated) will be tested outside of airports. The testing will be conducted off-site so that they don’t disrupt service at the airports. Travellers can get the tests done either in-person at testing locations and pharmacies, or use a self-swab test at home during a virtual appointment.
“Testing was and remains an important part of our surveillance program to track the importation of Covid-19 virus into Canada and identify new variants of concern….” the statement said.

Apart from this, the statement also informs that to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, travellers must have been vaccinated with a primary series of Covid-19 vaccines. And these vaccines have to be accepted by the government of Canada for the purpose of travel at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. However, it is important to note that travellers selected for random testing will receive an email within 15 minutes of completing the customs declaration. Information on how to arrange a test will be provided at that point in time.

Also read: Planning An International Holiday? These Are The COVID, Visa Requirements For UAE Residents

Canada To Keep Border Testing Measures In place To Track Importation Of The COVID-19 virus

According to Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, the province is currently in the seventh wave of the pandemic. It expects to see a peak in infection within two weeks. Keeping all this in mind,
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos is totally right in adapting border measures. The measures ensure to balance the need to protect Canadians while supporting the economic recovery. Along with these, the mandatory random Covid-19 testing, is surely the need of the hour!