Canada’s Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said that beginning January 7, all passengers five years of age or older are required to test negative for COVID-19 before traveling by air from another country to Canada.
Under the new requirement, announced last week. documentation of a negative laboratory test using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours prior is now needed to board a flight to Canada.
The negative test does not mean that travelers to Canada will be able to forgo the 14-day quarantine period, the Transport Ministry said, adding all travelers will have their quarantine plans reviewed by a government official and, if not suitable, will be asked to quarantine in a federal quarantine facility.
Travelers to Canada must use ArriveCAN and provide accurate contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry. Persons who are traveling from a country where PCR testing is unavailable will be required to report to a designated Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine facility for the duration of their mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Violating these instructions provided when you enter Canada is an offense under the nation’s Quarantine Act and could lead to up to six months in prison and/or CAN $750,000 (U.S.$586,400) in fines, the department said in a backgrounder outlining the new requirement.
The department added that existing health requirements, including health check questions, temperature screening and the wearing of masks on board flights to Canada all still remain in place.
