Canada to require negative COVID-19 test from all international arrivals

Canada will soon require all international arrivals to bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the previous three days.

It will not replace the mandatory 14-day quarantine, which travellers will still have to complete before being allowed to roam freely around the country, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc said at a news conference Wednesday.

“I can announce that Canada will quickly implement the requirement for all arriving passengers to have a negative PCR COVID test three days before arriving in Canada,” he said.

He did not specify when the requirement will be put in place.

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Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said Canada will require airlines make sure travellers to Canada have their negative test before being allowed to board.

Blair acknowledged some provinces have suggested shortening the 14-day quarantine period because data indicates most people display symptoms within the first 10 days.

However, he said Canada is not prepared to shorten the quarantine requirement at this time.

“[The new test requirement] is not an alternative to quarantine. It’s an additional layer of protection,” he said.