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

Marine debris cleanup to get $9.5 million in B.C.

Four projects will share the funding to clean up 1,200 kilometres of coastline and more than 100 derelict vessels.

Marine debris cleanup to get $9.5 million in B.C.

B.C. court rejects Indigenous petition on pipeline

Their lawyers argued in part that the office did not meaningfully address the findings of the 2019 report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls when it approved the extension.

B.C. court rejects Indigenous petition on pipeline

Trudeau to speak at global vaccine concert

The Global Citizen Vax Live Concert to Reunite the World is being recorded May 2 in Los Angeles but will air on YouTube May 8.

Trudeau to speak at global vaccine concert

Ontario to offer sick days, Nova Scotia shuts down

The Ontario government announced it will give all workers who need to self-isolate three days of paid sick leave, and reimburse employers up to $200 a day for what they pay out through the program.

Ontario to offer sick days, Nova Scotia shuts down

Hundreds of travellers test positive for variants

Data shows between Feb. 22 and April 11, 2,018 returning travellers tested positive on a test taken when they arrived in the country.

Hundreds of travellers test positive for variants

Glaciers getting smaller, faster, study finds

Study co-author Brian Menounos of the University of Northern British Columbia says those glaciers are getting smaller, faster — with those in western North America thinning more quickly than almost any others in the world.