Canada Reinstates Random Covid Testing

From what I’ve read, the tests will be conducted off site from the airports to avoid further airport congestion.

Emphasis on the RANDOM. If arriving into one of the 4 airports with a following connecting flight, then tests can be done at the destination. Guidance is given regarding the designated providers.

This is very helpful…we’re traveling soon and unaware of this change!

Thank you!

If one is just changing planes in Canada ( en route to a non-Canada destination) are they subject to being "randomly" tested?

If you're changing planes, you're not entering Canada.

This is from the article:

Selected travelers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, will receive email notifications within 15 minutes of clearing customs.

If you are just changing planes, you're not clearing customs.

Here's the official government website.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2022/07/government-of-canada-is-re-establishing-mandatory-random-testing-offsite-of-airports-for-air-travellers.html

This is for visitors and residents staying in Canada and not for connections to other countries. Testing won't be done in the airport. If you receive an email you'll be required to book a testing appointment to be completed by end of the next day.

"If you receive an email you'll be required to book a testing appointment to be completed by end of the next day."

As a Canadian, this news is upsetting. The above demonstrates that this has zero to do with limiting the spread of the virus. It's simply about surveillance.

On our recent trip, my husband was randomly selected when we arrived home in Toronto and the testing wasn't a big deal because it was done on site.

Of course it's all about surveillance - I'm glad that Canada has a plan - re: monitoring for the "expected" rise in the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

It appears that smaller airports like Billy Bishop Toronto (it handles flights from Newark, Boston, Midway, Dulles, Myrtle Beach) are exempt from the random testing.

Good. Cases are rising again. Protections were removed too soon.

Happy to see this ‘surveillance’ given the pandemic isn’t over. In late May my spouse was chosen for random testing on our return from France. It was very straightforward and with the result the next day it meant he could attend scheduled medical appointments in those subsequent days and share his PCR negative result.

Hi. I'm landing at Vancouver airport in sept and will be on to the next flight to Paris 8 hours later. It's not a transit, as I'll be clearing customs to "enter" Canada to activate my PR for the first time. But I won't be leaving the airport, so will I need to take the test if selected? I really don't see the point as I'll barely have time after clearing customs and formalities before going on to check in for next flight. Any thoughts is much appreciated. Thanks.

No. Testing isn't done at the airport and you'd be notified of where to go in your Canadian destination. Since you won't be staying, you're OK.

Don't forget to download and fill out the ArrivCan app prior to your flight.

What is a PR?