Feds plan to make negative COVID-19 test result compulsory for travellers entering Canada

Dec 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The federal government says it plans to require travellers to test negative for COVID-19 before landing in Canada.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says cabinet ministers decided this morning to quickly enact the new requirements.

The change will mean all passengers on flights entering Canada will require a negative PCR test three days before their arrival.

LeBlanc didn’t say when the requirements will be in place.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the greatest concern around COVID-19 the federal government has heard from Canadians is the impact of international travel at airports.

Several other countries, including the U.S., require a negative test for incoming passengers.

The identification of new strains of COVID-19 in the U.K. and South Africa has heightened concerns about the cross-border spread of the virus.

The announcement comes in the wake of criticisms that federal travel restrictions and quarantine rules have been too lax.

by Canadian Press