Effective July 19, 2022, Canada returned to random COVID-19 arrival testing for fully vaccinated passengers entering Canada at the Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal airports. Random testing on international arrivals began in late February as more people were vaccinated and the number of cases began to decrease. Covid random testing was suspended on June 11 due to massive airport delays.
Random COVID-19 Arrival Testing Resumes at 4 Canada Airports
Random testing is being reintroduced to "detect new COVID-19 variants," according to a government press release:
As demand for travel increases across the world, today's announcement marks an important step in our progress to streamline testing processes outside our airports while preventing the further spread of COVID-19. The Government of Canada will continue to protect travellers and employees and ensure our transportation system is safe, reliable, and resilient for the long term.
- The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
- Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and the Calgary Airport Authority have moved testing off-site.
- International passengers who are selected for random testing who have connecting flights to other cities in Canada will not have to leave the airport for a test prior to their transfer and instead can get tested at a participating location at their final destination, or through a virtual self-swab appointment.
- Travellers who are fully vaccinated as well as those not fully vaccinated selected for random COVID-19 testing will be notified via email within 15 minutes of completing their customs declaration with instructions on how to complete their testing.
Travellers who test positive must quarantine for 10 days.
Who Is Fully Vaccinated?
Canada considers someone to be fully vaccinated if they have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a single dose of Johnson and Johnson's vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in Canada. Vaccine boosters are not currently required for entry to Canada, but traveller requirements are continuously being updated.
- Travellers who are not fully vaccinated are only allowed entry under certain circumstances and will need to test for coronavirus before and after arrival and quarantine for 14 days.
- All travellers are required to enter their travel information in the ArriveCAN app or website 72 hours before entering Canada.
- ArriveCAN's "saved traveller" feature allows a user to save travel documents and proof of vaccination information so that they can reuse it on future trips. which saves time and increases convenience.
- Masks are required on planes and trains in Canada for anyone age 6 and older.
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