Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

Pricey COVID-19 test at border called 'irrational'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2021 10:04 AM
  • Pricey COVID-19 test at border called 'irrational'

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.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Quarantined mink farms start breeding stock

Quarantined mink farms start breeding stock
A breeder at a second property in the Fraser Valley decided to euthanize about 1,000 mink in January after three mink died at the farm.

Quarantined mink farms start breeding stock

Variants could slow B.C. reopening: experts

Variants could slow B.C. reopening: experts
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday that she has received advice from an expert panel and will soon allow small outdoor religious services, including at Easter and Passover.

Variants could slow B.C. reopening: experts

Horgan says vaccines give people more flexibility

Horgan says vaccines give people more flexibility
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she's looking at allowing indoor religious services next month after allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.

Horgan says vaccines give people more flexibility

Spavor, Kovrig face hearings March 19, 22: Garneau

Spavor, Kovrig face hearings March 19, 22: Garneau
Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau says the Canadian Embassy in Beijing was notified today that Spavor's court hearing will take place Friday and Kovrig's will happen Monday.

Spavor, Kovrig face hearings March 19, 22: Garneau

B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

B.C. adds funds to online business grant program
Premier John Horgan says more than 3,500 businesses have applied so far, exhausting the initial fund.

B.C. adds funds to online business grant program

St. Patrick's Day quiet so far, police say

St. Patrick's Day quiet so far, police say
There were no immediate reports Wednesday of revellers defying pandemic restrictions, even in places where bars were allowed to open.

St. Patrick's Day quiet so far, police say