Multiple reports say the Canadian government will end PCR test requirementw for fully vaxxed Canadians, probably by the end of February.
CTV News says a senior government source said Ottawa will change the rules so that fully vaccinated Canadians will only need to show proof of a negative rapid antigen test to get back into the country, rather than a PCR test. The network said the Trudeau government is “set to remove those requirements at the end of the month.”
The CBC says its sources also indicate the move is imminent.
The current rules require travellers coming into Canada to provide proof of a PCR-style test taken within 72 hours of their scheduled departure on a flight, or their arrival at a Canada-U.S. land border. But those tests can be hard to find, and often cost more than $250 CAD.
Critics have said Canada would be just as well served by allowing travellers to provide rapid antigen test results. Rapid antigen tests are widely available and often cost as little as $30.
The U.S. and other countries only require rapid antigen tests for travellers.
Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos on Friday said changes to Canada’s border/travel rules are coming this week, but he didn’t outline what the changes might be. The CTV News story only refers to double vaxxed Canadians, not Americans or other visitors.
Two prominent Canadian doctors last week called Canada’s PRC test rules “futile” and “obsolete.” Air Transat workers, WestJet, and others in the travel and tourism industry also have been openly critical of the rules, arguing they’re simply not needed any longer.
