On Thursday, it was announced that starting January 7, anyone traveling to Canada will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test before boarding and will still need to quarantine for 14 days.
According to Global News, those aged five and up who are flying will need to have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their departure and will have to provide a copy of the results to the airline to board their flight. The new testing requirements only apply to those traveling into the country by air.
Even with a negative test, there will still be a mandatory 14-day quarantine for passengers. Upon arrival, a quarantine plan must be submitted for federal officials to review. If deemed unsatisfactory, then quarantine may be carried out in a federal facility.
According to the outlet, a PCR test can detect minute amounts of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which happens through a swab up the nose or in the mouth.
“The new testing requirement is an additional layer of protection that helps make Canada’s border measures among the strongest in the world,” Health Minister Patty Hadju said.
Like the rest of the globe, Canada is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases. Following holiday gatherings, experts are concerned that January could see an even higher spike.
