This article was published on June 13, 2022, and was updated on July 1, 2022, and July 18, 2022, to reflect new information.
July 18, 2022 Update: The government of Canada will resume mandatory random COVID-19 testing on July 19, 2022, for travelers who qualify as fully vaccinated and arrive in Canada via one of Canada’s four major airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, or Toronto. For additional information on who qualifies as a fully vaccinated traveler, check here.
All COVID-19-related testing will be performed outside of these airports, either via an in-person appointment with a testing provider or pharmacies or through a virtual self-swab test.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. These travelers will also be required to undergo COVID-19 testing on day one and day eight of the quarantine period.
Fully vaccinated travelers who have been selected for randomized testing and all unvaccinated travelers will receive an email notification within 15 minutes of completing their customs declaration. The email will provide information on arranging for COVID-19 testing at a testing provider located outside of the airport.
According to the Canadian government, moving COVID-19 testing sites out of airports will reduce airport delays and wait times for travelers.
July 1, 2022 Update: The government of Canada will extend the pause on mandatory random testing at airports until mid-July for travelers who qualify as fully vaccinated. Mandatory testing will continue at land border points of entry.
Travelers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, unless otherwise exempt, will continue to test on day one and day eight of a 14-day quarantine period.
All travelers entering the country must continue using ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours before arrival in Canada.
Original Post From June 13, 2022:
Key Points
- From June 11, 2022, to June 30, 2022, the government of Canada will pause randomized testing for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country
Overview
The government of Canada will temporarily pause COVID-19 randomized testing requirements between June 11, 2022, and June 30, 2022, for fully vaccinated travelers. The pause will only apply to fully vaccinated travelers entering via air. Fully vaccinated travelers entering via land and sea borders will still be subject to randomized testing.
Unvaccinated travelers will still be required to undergo testing requirements when entering Canada, including providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travel.
Travelers should check here to ensure that they qualify for COVID-19 testing exemptions.
What are the Changes?
The government of Canada will move COVID-19 testing sites out of airports and pause randomized testing for fully vaccinated travelers beginning June 11, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2022. The government stated that these measures would be taken to reduce airport delays. Randomized testing of fully vaccinated travelers will be introduced in off-site locations beginning July 1, 2022. Unvaccinated travelers will be tested at off-site locations starting June 11, 2022.
Looking Ahead
COVID-19 travel entrance requirements will continue for fully vaccinated travelers on July 1, 2022. Continue to check the government of Canada’s website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Government of Canada
