Random, off-site COVID-19 testing at major Canadian airports to resume today

Mandatory, random COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers resumes Tuesday at Canada’s four major airports, including Toronto Pearson.

The testing will be completed either in person at select testing provider locations and pharmacies or virtually with a self-swab test.

Unvaccinated travellers, unless exempt, must continue to test twice during their mandatory two-week quarantine.

The Government of Canada paused mandatory random COVID-19 testing for those entering Canada by air on June 11 as part of a broader strategy to transition testing for air travellers outside of the airports.

Health Canada says to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, travellers must have been vaccinated with a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines accepted by the government for the purpose of travel at least 14 calendar days before entering the country.

“As we have said all along, Canada’s border measures will remain flexible and adaptable, guided by science and prudence,” Canada’s Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, said.

“We need to keep border testing measures in place because that is how we track importation of the COVID-19 virus and of new variants of concern. We will keep adapting our border measures to balance the need to protect Canadians while supporting our economic recovery.”

Health Canada says mandatory, random COVID-19 testing will continue at land border points of entry with no changes.

All travellers must continue to use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada and/or before boarding a cruise ship destined for Canada, with few exceptions.

Delays at airports continue to be felt by Canadian travellers

Airport chaos has continued in the weeks since the testing was suspended.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said last week the tests were suspended because the government realized they were adding to the congestion at the airports, but he was always clear they would resume off-site.

Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said the random tests are an important part of Canada’s strategy to detect new variants coming into the country.

Passengers line up at the check-in counter at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport in Montreal on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

“It’s important to know about this in order to formulate other recommendations,” Njoo said in French at a press conference where he announced the approval of a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has said in the past that the airport tests act as an “early warning system” for new variants.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) currently recommends arriving at the airport a minimum of two hours before domestic flight departures and at least three hours for international flights.

“Those who are considering booking a trip should make sure they understand the scope of what travel looks like at the moment,” said Nadia Matos, manager of external communications, CAA (South Central Ontario).

“Airports are experiencing delays with varying degrees of impact, and Ontarians should be prepared.”

With files from Laura Osman of The Canadian Press