According to some doctors, testing travellers is unnecessary owing to Omicron’s widespread dissemination.
According to CBC News, the federal government is close to eliminating required PCR testing for fully vaccinated Canadians who travel outside the country.
Anyone travelling outside the nation is currently required to show confirmation of a negative molecular test (such as a PCR test) before returning home. The exam must be completed within 72 hours of a scheduled flight or land border crossing.
According to CBC News, the federal government is close to eliminating required PCR testing for fully vaccinated Canadians who travel outside the country.
Anyone travelling outside the nation is currently required to show confirmation of a negative molecular test (such as a PCR test) before returning home. The exam must be completed within 72 hours of a scheduled flight or land border crossing.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos hinted at changes to Canada’s travel limits at a press conference on Friday. “Our administration is assessing the procedures in place at our borders,” he said, adding that “we should be able to disclose adjustments next week.”
The news comes only one day after two infectious disease physicians and the travel industry joined forces to urge for an end to Canada’s pre- and post-arrival testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.
Dr. Dominik Mertz and Dr. Zain Chagla, as well as the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, said during a news conference held at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Thursday that testing travellers is futile because Omicron has already spread across the country.
“The danger to the ordinary visitor is comparable to a random individual being tested in downtown Toronto. It won’t make a difference, either “Mertz, an infectious diseases expert at McMaster University in Hamilton, agreed.
The High expense of travel is the rule.
Pre-arrival molecular testing, which can cost up to $100, is required of all visitors entering Canada.
Millions of dollars are also being spent by the government to test thousands of vaccinated travellers at random upon arrival.
Chagla remarked during the news conference that money spent on testing by both the government and people is a waste of money.
“There’s something to be said about the expense here, both for individuals and for the public for testing,” said Chagla, an associate professor at McMaster University.