Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Feds drop mandatory PCR test for travel

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Feb, 2022 01:26 PM
  • Feds drop mandatory PCR test for travel

OTTAWA - Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a molecular COVID-19 test to enter Canada starting Feb. 28 because the COVID-19 situation in Canada has improved, the federal health minister announced Tuesday.

Travellers can instead opt for a rapid antigen test approved by the country in which it is purchased. However, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said rapid tests will have to be administered by a laboratory or health care entity.

Unvaccinated children travelling with vaccinated adults who come to Canada will no longer have to isolate from school or daycare for 14 days.

Some fully vaccinated travellers might still be randomly selected for a molecular test at the airport, but they will not be required to quarantine while they wait for the result.

Unvaccinated Canadians will need to be tested at the airport and again eight days after arrival, and isolate for 14 days.

The government also plans to lift its advisory urging Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country due to the risk of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The government will consider easing restrictions further in coming weeks if the epidemiological situation continues to improve, hospitalizations continue to diminish, and Canadian Canadians continue to get their booster shots, Duclos said.

More airports will also be able to receive international flights after Feb. 28, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced. For now, only 18 Canadian airports are allowed to accept international flights.

In addition to international airports, other airports in communities like Windsor, London, Fort McMurray, and Moncton will also start to receive flights from abroad, Alghabra said.

He promised more information about how COVID-19 testing will work for cruise ships travellers arriving at Canadian ports would be forthcoming, in time for cruise ship season.

Duclos said the government has adjusted COVID-19 border measures because Canada has more tools to transition away from stiff restrictions.

"These tools include the strong surveillance system, a highly vaccinated population, continued access to vaccines, access to therapeutics both in and outside our hospital system and increasing access to rapid tests," Duclos said.

There were 5,801 new confirmed cases in and 110 deaths in Canada Monday, the latest data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows.

Though case counts provide a limited picture of the spread of the virus because many jurisdictions have restricted the use of molecular tests, the latest figures still show a dramatic drop from the peak of the Omicron wave when new cases reached upwards of 54,000.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberal MP calls out Trudeau on COVID management

Liberal MP calls out Trudeau on COVID management
Joël Lightbound told reporters in Ottawa today that federal COVID-19 measures, such as vaccination mandates for travellers and civil servants, need to be re-evaluated and the public needs a clear road map for when restrictions will be fully lifted.

Liberal MP calls out Trudeau on COVID management

Alberta to announce timeline to end COVID-19 rules

Alberta to announce timeline to end COVID-19 rules
The premier announced last week that such a plan was coming and that the first step would be ending Alberta's vaccine passports to access non-essential businesses such as restaurants and bars.

Alberta to announce timeline to end COVID-19 rules

B.C. legislature resumes today with throne speech

B.C. legislature resumes today with throne speech
The throne speech comes two weeks ahead of the government's budget, which is expected to include a financial accounting of last fall's floods and mudslides that devastated communities, farms and highways throughout southern B.C.

B.C. legislature resumes today with throne speech

B.C. forecasts 1M more jobs over next decade

B.C. forecasts 1M more jobs over next decade
Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, said eight out of every 10 new openings in the next decade will require post-secondary education or skills training, which points to where the economy is headed and what is needed to get ready.

B.C. forecasts 1M more jobs over next decade

Falcon plans to run for house seat in Vancouver

Falcon plans to run for house seat in Vancouver
Kevin Falcon, who was elected party leader on Saturday, said Andrew Wilkinson has decided to resign his seat in Vancouver-Quilchena, clearing a possible path to the legislature.

Falcon plans to run for house seat in Vancouver

3,287 COVID19 cases over 3 days

3,287 COVID19 cases over 3 days
There are 23,739 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 306,419 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 987 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 141 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.    

3,287 COVID19 cases over 3 days