No more pre-entry covid testing for vaxxed travellers to Canada

Dhaka: As part of Canada’s efforts to reopen its borders, the country’s government announced discontinuing all Covid-related testing requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals. The new rules are applicable for travellers entering Canada by land, air, and water.

On this note, Canada’s Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra said, “Lifting the pre-entry testing requirements for travellers to Canada will make it easier for Canadians to safely take advantage of emerging opportunities for personal and business travel, as Canada's transportation system recovers from the pandemic.”

The current rules mandate all incoming international passengers to provide a pre-entry Covid-19 test result regardless of their vaccination status. Negative antigen and molecular tests were taken no more than 24 or 72 hours, respectively, before the scheduled flight departure time were accepted. A positive antigen test taken between 10-180 days before departure is also accepted.

From April 1, 2022, passengers recognised as “fully vaccinated” by Canada need not provide a test result on arrival. However, the mentioned requirements remain unchanged for partially or unvaccinated travelers.

Nevertheless, the Public Health Agency of Canada said even passengers who qualify as fully vaccinated might be randomly asked to take a mandatory molecular test on arrival.

With the latest announcement, Canada has joined several other countries across the world who have also made significant relaxations for incoming passengers. The list includes countries like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and India, among others.