PCR testing requirements make cross-border travel too complicated and costly as Canadians consider travelling south of the border, Canadian travel groups and Canadian seniors are saying.
Thirty-seven percent of Canadians plan to visit the United States as their first trip outside of Canada, according to a survey conducted by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada. Canadians planning on traveling to the U.S. need to understand that they require different kinds of negative COVID-19 test results to enter the U.S. and return to Canada. THIA recommends that consistent and convenient testing requirement be adopted to support Canadian travellers.
The United States accepts Rapid antigen test results, combined with proof of complete vaccination, to enter the country. However, Canada requires molecular tests such as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which cost upwards of $125 USD and are harder to find than Rapid antigen tests which can be found at most pharmacies.
“Travel is already more expensive because of the pandemic. It doesn’t need to be more complicated and more costly,” says Will McAleer, THIA’s Executive Director and spokesperson. “PCR testing adds nearly $600 to an average family’s travel expenses. This is about accessibility and affordability. Canadians have always looked to the U.S. for holidays and short cross border trips, and that interest is heightened now because of proximity, familiarity, and confidence in the quality of medical care available.”
Canadian seniors also are calling for new rules.
Together with the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, seniors from across Canada are calling on the federal government to remove unnecessary and non-science-based obstacles to cross-border travel, such as the pre-departure PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers, that is disproportionately impacting senior citizens.
Travel is becoming increasingly difficult to reach for the average Canadian senior. The burdensome cost of a PCR test can add over $200 CAD per person. This policy was intended to be temporary and is counter to the recommendations made by the federal government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel Report in May of this year.
Many countries have recognized that requiring pre-departure and arrival tests for vaccinated travellers is redundant and have exempted fully vaccinated travellers from testing requirements, including France, Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Although many had travel bookings lined up over the November-December period, the travel and tourism industry is bracing for cancellations.
“As the voice of more than 115,000 members, the Canadian Snowbird Association is concerned about the burden on Canadian travellers incurring high testing costs to travel. Based on science, other countries have removed testing for vaccinated travellers, making travel more accessible and far less cost prohibitive,” said Michael MacKenzie, Executive Director of the Canadian Snowbird Association.
Canadians’ desire to travel to the U.S. had declined in recent years, but the THIA survey findings show that the U.S. is the most popular first travel destination for Canadians, based on proximity to avoid air travel and the country’s vaccination rollout. According to the survey:
- 37% of Canadians indicated that the U.S. is the first place they plan to travel outside of Canada;
- 33% of respondents said they were more likely to travel to the U.S. after the pandemic, than before;
- 46% of respondents say their preferred mode of travel is by vehicle (car, van, or camper), which makes the U.S. a convenient destination.
As the U.S. border reopens to Canadian land travel, it will be more important than ever to ensure that Canadians understand reentry requirements and their travel health insurance policy. Canadians are also taking more interest in researching their coverage options and what their current plan offers in advance of booking their trip. Seventy-four per cent of respondents said they are more likely to review their travel health insurance coverage now, following the pandemic, than ever before. THIA recommends always following the travel health insurance best practices before leaving Canada:
- Know your policy – Insurance providers have staff available to answer any questions related to policies. Make sure to ask your provider about extended coverage options for COVID-19, recent policy updates or changes, and what additional benefits may apply to vaccinated travelers.
- Know your health – Consult a health care provider if you have any questions.
- Know your trip – How long will you be gone? Are you a snowbird? Will you be travelling many times during the year? Do you plan to scuba dive? Find a policy that is specifically tailored to your trip.
- Know your rights – THIA’s Rights and Responsibilities guidelines offer all travelling Canadians with additional confidence in their travel insurance purchase knowing their company is supporting their rights as a consumer and making them aware of their responsibilities.
