The idea for this story came from audience members, like you, who contacted us. Send us your questions about COVID-19 testing and travel. We’re listening: ask@cbc.ca.
Starting Tuesday, international travelers arriving at four of Canada’s major airports may again be required to undergo mandatory random testing for COVID-19 after a brief suspension of the program.
The government paused random testing of passengers deemed fully vaccinated last month as it prepared to move testing off-site in a bid to reduce long delays at airports.
The government has argued that random tests for air travelers are needed to detect new variants of COVID-19, although the opposition Conservatives and the travel industry have voiced their disapproval of the decision.
Here’s what international travelers need to know before arriving in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Montreal.
How will I know if I have been selected for random testing?
Travelers randomly selected for testing should receive an email notification within 15 minutes of passing through customs, according to a government release.
“The email will contain information to help them arrange their test with a test provider in their region,” it said.
International travelers are still required to check-in via the ArriveCAN app or website 72 hours prior to their arrival in Canada.
What if I have a connecting flight to another airport?
Those arriving in Canada at one of the four participating airports that catch connecting flights to other destinations may still be selected for random testing.
Passengers on connecting flights will not be required to leave airports in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal or Vancouver to travel to a testing site in those cities.
Instead, the government says those travelers can go to participating testing sites at their final destinations or book virtual self-testing appointments.
Testing for COVID-19 is being done at Pearson Airport in Toronto. There will no longer be tests at airports. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
Where are the participating off-site testing locations?
Out-of-town tests for travelers will be conducted by private lab companies, such as Dynacare, LifeLabs and Switch Health.
Available labs vary by province. Travelers can check the government’s website to find out where to go in their region.
An off-site testing provider may also send travelers to a pharmacy for a test.
The notification email will also show where the traveler can be tested in their region, the government says.
What if I test positive?
Government rules state that if you test positive on your arrival, you must self-isolate for 10 days.
If you test negative but start experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the rules say you must still self-isolate for the same period.
Do I have to pay for the test myself?
No, the government covers the cost of the test.
What if I recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection?
Passengers who can prove that they have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection may be exempted from random testing.
Antibodies from an infection can prevent someone from getting the virus again, but this protection weakens over time.
Travelers who can show a positive molecular test taken between 10 and 180 days before their arrival can be exempted from random testing, but the government will not accept a rapid test result as proof of infection.
Can I do a quick test myself?
The government will not accept a rapid antigen test from travelers who have been randomly selected for testing. Only the tests performed by the contracted companies are accepted.
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