If proof of a negative PCR test is not provided to the airline at the time of boarding, travellers will be denied entry to the flight unless exempt.
What if the country I’m in doesn’t provide PCR tests?
Anyone travelling from a country where PCR testing is not available will be required to report to a designated federal quarantine facility maintained by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Travellers will have to stay in that site for the entire 14-day self-quarantine period mandated by existing travel measures.
Anyone planning to travel outside of Canada once the new rules are in place are being urged to check if the country they’re travelling to has PCR testing available before booking a trip.
Who pays for the test?
Travellers can cover the cost of a PCR test through their travel insurance provider, so long as they include COVID-19-related medical expenses in their coverage.
The government is recommending all travellers get travel insurance immediately and make sure their plan covers medical expenses related to the pandemic, including testing and cancellations or rebookings in case of testing delays.
Otherwise, travellers will be responsible for paying for testing themselves. Consular services will also not cover expenses in case travellers cannot return to Canada due to a missing or delayed test.
Anyone whose quarantine plans are ruled to be insufficient will be mandated to quarantine in a Public Health Agency of Canada facility.
The government is still advising all Canadians to avoid any non-essential travel amid the pandemic, which has infected roughly 580,000 people and killed more than 15,600 across the country as of Dec. 31.
Canada’s chief public health officer, Theresa Tam, said Thursday she is deeply concerned Canadians are still traveling for non-essential reasons, ignoring advice not to do so.
“I am asking Canadians to reassess any travel plans,” she said.