If you are traveling back to Canada from an international trip to four of the country’s major airports (Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto), you may be selected for a random COVID-19 test starting Tuesday.
Ottawa has regained mandatory random testing after the federal government interrupted it on June 11th. However, as a novelty of this round, testing will be done off-site by face-to-face appointment at selected test provider locations and pharmacies, or by virtual appointment for a self-test.
Travelers will receive an email notification within 15 minutes of completing the CBSA customs declaration. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers could be selected for testing.
Read more: Ottawa Launches New COVID-19 Travel Testing Strategy Amid Airport Delays
According to the federal government, travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt, must continue to take the test on the first and eighth day of their mandatory 14-day quarantine. If selected for the randomized trial, unvaccinated travelers will be able to complete their testing by virtual appointment or by face-to-face appointment with a testing provider at selected stores or pharmacies to stay within their mandatory quarantine requirements.
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To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler in Canada, travelers must have been vaccinated with a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada to travel at least two weeks before entering Canada.
According to a government brochure, if the result of a passenger’s arrival test is positive, they must isolate themselves and meet the federal requirement to isolate themselves for 10 days from the date of the test result. . Even if the isolation requirement is shorter in a traveler’s province or territory, the federal government requires the full 10 days of isolation.
Read more: Toronto operator Pearson is “delighted” to see random COVID tests moved off-site
At Toronto’s Pearson Airport, some travelers said they had a pleasant experience on arrival Tuesday morning, even as they prepared for the worst.
Kerry Carstairs arrived on a flight from Newark, NJ for a business trip and said she hoped to be chased by long lines and problems with documentation. Instead, he said, “it couldn’t have been easier.”
“I was impressed with the technology, so I didn’t really have to talk to a soul, then I just went to the first customs officer, they asked me a few questions and I left,” he said, adding that no it was. selected for a random test.
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Read more: Tips on surviving the chaos of summer travel at Canadian airports
Bill Mcdonald said he is familiar with the recent airport chaos, making business trips to Toronto about once every two months.
But when he arrived from Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday, he got off the plane and went to customs in a “minute quiz” without being selected for a random test, he said.
“It could have been the time of day, I’m not sure, but it was perfect,” he added.
Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. Howard Njoo has previously said that randomized testing is an important part of Canada’s strategy to detect new variants arriving in the country.
Meanwhile, random tests continue at the entry points of the land border.
—With archives of The Canadian Press
1:52 Half of Canadians want COVID-19 reinforcements as soon as possible Half of Canadians want COVID-19 reinforcements as soon as possible
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