National

Pricey COVID-19 test at border called 'irrational'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2021 10:04 AM

OTTAWA - The head of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says it's "irrational" for Canada to require fully vaccinated travellers to complete an expensive COVID-19 test before crossing the border.

All travellers over the age of five, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test in order to enter the country.

It can cost between $150 and $300, making it prohibitively expensive for many families.

Perrin Beatty, president of the business group, says the test requirement does not appear to be based on science, and is redundant for fully vaccinated travellers.

The latest figures from the Public Health Agency of Canada show that of all COVID-19 tests completed at the border on vaccinated travellers between Aug. 9 and Oct. 21, only 0.18 per cent were positive.

For unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers, 0.91 per cent were positive.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Morneau, not Trudeau, violated ethics rules: Dion Stephanie

The commissioner says he was asked to investigate Morneau by several MPs because of what some believed to be close ties between his family and the charity, founded by brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger.

Morneau, not Trudeau, violated ethics rules: Dion Stephanie

Residency for families of plane-crash victims

The policy applies to people currently in Canada, and anyone who made a refugee claim after these two disasters happened is also eligible to apply under the new policy.

Residency for families of plane-crash victims

Foreign-buyers tax to bring in $509 million: PBO

The Liberals are proposing a one per cent tax on vacant homes owned by foreign non-residents to cool an overheated housing market across the country.

Foreign-buyers tax to bring in $509 million: PBO

More COVID-19 tickets issued during second wave

The provinces have now reached over $24 million in fines issued since the outset of the pandemic, which is really an astounding amount of money.

More COVID-19 tickets issued during second wave

B.C. money laundering inquiry to wrap testimony

Cullen is expected to complete his report by Dec. 15. It is expected to include recommendations that address the conditions that enabled money laundering to flourish in B.C.

B.C. money laundering inquiry to wrap testimony

COVID-19 may be factor in public gang violence

Martin Bouchard, a professor in Simon Fraser University's school of criminology, says the pandemic has changed people's routines and they aren't getting out of their homes often, which could play a role in the brazen nature of shootings.