Arriving Into Canada by Air Requires Negative COVID-19 Test Result

The Canadian government is serious about squashing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, especially from anyone visiting the country by air. Early last year, Canada strongly advised against non-essential travel, adding that travel restrictions and measures can be amended at any time for public health reasons. The definition of business air travel requires spending some serious time at the ArriveCAN site.

NBAA says the US will “soon publish a policy to expand pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements to all US arrivals from international locations, a policy that currently only applies to arrivals from the UK.”

Adding to Canada’s other rules regarding arrivals into Canada, Canada’s Minister of Transport, the Honorable Marc Garneau, added one more restriction to anyone planning a visit—for any reason. In a news release, Garneau said, “All air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada.” That rule became effective on January 6.

Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada.” The news specifically said, “The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure to Canada. These rules are additive to the Canadian government’s requirement that anyone authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine.”

The Canadian government is also increasing traveler surveillance efforts related to the quarantine demanding that those plans must be reviewed by a government official and, if not suitable, travelers will be required to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility. Travelers to Canada must use the ArriveCAN App or website and provide accurate contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry.

Unlike the recommended COVID procedures here in the US, the Canadian law comes with some pretty sharp teeth for anyone who does not comply: “Violating any instructions provided when you enter Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.”