Anyone fly to Toronto recently - Are you required to test at YYZ?

[DisneYE]

I'm flying from Florida to YYZ next week for a few days
I went thru the ArriveCan requirements and I'm familiar with what is needed

Except the last requirement, *register in advance for arrival testing*, says...
"You may be required to get tested before exiting the airport...."
And then it suggest you to pre-register

So anyone have had experience at YYZ with this recently? - Are ppl actually tested when arriving at the airport?
TIA

 

[koncra]

Flew round trip from YYZ in December and DID get selected for random testing upon arrival at YYZ. Took about an hour to get through the line and then waited 3 days for my results. I hadn't pre registered which just meant I had to do so while waiting in line. It was tedious, but not overly difficult

 

[DisneYE]

Flew round trip from YYZ in December and DID get selected for random testing upon arrival at YYZ. Took about an hour to get through the line and then waited 3 days for my results. I hadn't pre registered which just meant I had to do so while waiting in line. It was tedious, but not overly difficult

Thank you.
So it's random, eh? where do they select you?
Is the test done inside Pearson? When I went there last September, it was at a parking garage a good 800m away... I'd just hate to do that walk in -10 temps.

 

[koncra]

Thank you.
So it's random, eh? where do they select you?
Is the test done inside Pearson? When I went there last September, it was at a parking garage a good 800m away... I'd just hate to do that walk in -10 temps.

Its all based off of customs officers. If they give you a pink sticker on your passport you have to get tested, if they give you a green sticker then you don't. After customs there are staff who check the passport stickers and direct you to a line.

 

[yowcruiser]

Location of the test depends on whether you have a connection or not, but it is inside the terminal. For passengers arriving from the US, with valid proof of vaccination and testing, it is random. Flew back from Orlando yesterday morning and my daughter got selected at random, she was the only one in the line for connections... with 10+ nurses waiting... the entire process took about 5 minutes... Long might be longer when Toronto is the final destinations

 

[DisneYE]

Location of the test depends on whether you have a connection or not, but it is inside the terminal. For passengers arriving from the US, with valid proof of vaccination and testing, it is random. Flew back from Orlando yesterday morning and my daughter got selected at random, she was the only one in the line for connections... with 10+ nurses waiting... the entire process took about 5 minutes... Long might be longer when Toronto is the final destinations

Thank you - this is great info!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I flew to YYZ from Florida yesterday. If you arrive from a USA airport the arrival testing at YYZ is random. If you arrive from other countries it's mandatory.

We were in a fairly long line at customs (after the kiosks) so we watched who was getting what sticker and which line they were sent to. I estimate that it was about 40% getting the pink (requires a test) sticker. My DD got a green one and I had the great fortune of getting the pink one. We saw a couple of families with 3-4 kids all get green.....I guess screaming babies might get you a pass. Anyway, if you get a pink sticker you then have to go through the area that they search your luggage but the agent only asked the same questions about what we spent and what we bought, then sent us on to the exit...no bag search. It might just be a way to slow people down prior to the testing area. From there you go to the testing area. You register, then wait while they put your test package together with labels. You then go to a nurse and go through the process of the actual test. It really didn't take that long. From the time our plane pulled up to the gate (and we were held there for a while) until I was outside getting in the car was approx an hour and 15-20 minutes.

 

[damo]

I flew to YYZ from Florida yesterday. If you arrive from a USA airport the arrival testing at YYZ is random. If you arrive from other countries it's mandatory.

We were in a fairly long line at customs (after the kiosks) so we watched who was getting what sticker and which line they were sent to. I estimate that it was about 40% getting the pink (requires a test) sticker. My DD got a green one and I had the great fortune of getting the pink one. We saw a couple of families with 3-4 kids all get green.....I guess screaming babies might get you a pass. Anyway, if you get a pink sticker you then have to go through the area that they search your luggage but the agent only asked the same questions about what we spent and what we bought, then sent us on to the exit...no bag search. It might just be a way to slow people down prior to the testing area. From there you go to the testing area. You register, then wait while they put your test package together with labels. You then go to a nurse and go through the process of the actual test. It really didn't take that long. From the time our plane pulled up to the gate (and we were held there for a while) until I was outside getting in the car was approx an hour and 15-20 minutes.

We had a screaming baby and did not get green, lol.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We had a screaming baby and did not get green, lol.

so much for my theory

 

[DisneYE]

I flew to YYZ from Florida yesterday. If you arrive from a USA airport the arrival testing at YYZ is random. If you arrive from other countries it's mandatory.

We were in a fairly long line at customs (after the kiosks) so we watched who was getting what sticker and which line they were sent to. I estimate that it was about 40% getting the pink (requires a test) sticker. My DD got a green one and I had the great fortune of getting the pink one. We saw a couple of families with 3-4 kids all get green.....I guess screaming babies might get you a pass. Anyway, if you get a pink sticker you then have to go through the area that they search your luggage but the agent only asked the same questions about what we spent and what we bought, then sent us on to the exit...no bag search. It might just be a way to slow people down prior to the testing area. From there you go to the testing area. You register, then wait while they put your test package together with labels. You then go to a nurse and go through the process of the actual test. It really didn't take that long. From the time our plane pulled up to the gate (and we were held there for a while) until I was outside getting in the car was approx an hour and 15-20 minutes.

Thanks for this detailed response.
How long did it take for the test result at the terminal to come back?
What happens if it's positive (knock on wood)? I'm assuming you're told to quarantine, you know for how long?

 

[damo]

Thanks for this detailed response.
How long did it take for the test result at the terminal to come back?
What happens if it's positive (knock on wood)? I'm assuming you're told to quarantine, you know for how long?

We did not have to quarantine and waited 2 1/2 days for our results.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks for this detailed response.
How long did it take for the test result at the terminal to come back?
What happens if it's positive (knock on wood)? I'm assuming you're told to quarantine, you know for how long?

I’m pretty certain that when entering from the USA only you do not have to quarantine while waiting for the results. No one said I had to…so that’s what I’m going with. I was asked at multiple points where I had travelled from. The nurse said results would be in approx 5 days. In my circumstance it’s not likely I would test positive….over the previous 7 days I had 4 tests (all neg) plus this last one in the airport. Today I went into work and was tested again with a RAT which was negative. Safe to say if you got a positive in the airport you would have several days of quarantine plus they would probably initiate self contact tracing.

 

[DisneYE]

I’m pretty certain that when entering from the USA only you do not have to quarantine while waiting for the results. No one said I had to…so that’s what I’m going with. I was asked at multiple points where I had travelled from. The nurse said results would be in approx 5 days. In my circumstance it’s not likely I would test positive….over the previous 7 days I had 4 tests (all neg) plus this last one in the airport. Today I went into work and was tested again with a RAT which was negative. Safe to say if you got a positive in the airport you would have several days of quarantine plus they would probably initiate self contact tracing.

Thank you
Last question - And sorry to bug on you this:
How do they send you the results from the terminal test? - Email, text, ArriveCan app?

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thank you
Last question - And sorry to bug on you this:
How do they send you the results from the terminal test? - Email, text, ArriveCan app?

It will be email. You have to register with Switch Health who is the company that handles all aspects of the testing.

 

[dancin Disney style]

My negative result arrived in my inbox at 1:20am today. So that's approx 32hrs after testing. I also got a text saying that my result was ready.

@DisneYE I would suggest that you take screen shots of everything before you arrive at he airport to come home. Your ArriveCan receipt and test results. I always do this as I do not have data on my phone and even though there is free WiFi just about everywhere sometimes you can't rely on that. When we were checking in at MCO the lady ahead of us in the line had a lot of trouble opening her ArriveCan receipt email. The airline agent tried to help her but when he had to leave her and continue moving through the line others passengers helped her figure it out.

 

[DisneYE]

My negative result arrived in my inbox at 1:20am today. So that's approx 32hrs after testing. I also got a text saying that my result was ready.

@DisneYE I would suggest that you take screen shots of everything before you arrive at he airport to come home. Your ArriveCan receipt and test results. I always do this as I do not have data on my phone and even though there is free WiFi just about everywhere sometimes you can't rely on that. When we were checking in at MCO the lady ahead of us in the line had a lot of trouble opening her ArriveCan receipt email. The airline agent tried to help her but when he had to leave her and continue moving through the line others passengers helped her figure it out.

Thank you for this - Yeah I always take screenshots on important matters such as this.
You've eased my main concern with your feedback, which was having to possibly have to get out of the terminal and go to the parking garage where Switch Health used to be - It was like that in Sept/21
I'm so glad the tests are being administered in the terminal - I'm unconcerned about whether I test +/- because I'll be home for several days anyway without any plans to be out and about. (thanks Canadian winter).

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thank you for this - Yeah I always take screenshots on important matters such as this.
You've eased my main concern with your feedback, which was having to possibly have to get out of the terminal and go to the parking garage where Switch Health used to be - It was like that in Sept/21
I'm so glad the tests are being administered in the terminal - I'm unconcerned about whether I test +/- because I'll be home for several days anyway without any plans to be out and about. (thanks Canadian winter).

I wasn’t concerned about the result…I knew I was most likely home for a few more days anyway. Work issues have kept me out for most of January.

LOL…in a weird way I wish I had a positive result in my possession. Then I could travel somewhat freely. I’d even like to just go shopping across the border for a weekend.

 

[DisneYE]

LOL…in a weird way I wish I had a positive result in my possession. Then I could travel somewhat freely. I’d even like to just go shopping across the border for a weekend.

What..why?
Travel freely with a positive result? please elaborate. What am I missing?

 

[starlite_]

What..why?
Travel freely with a positive result? please elaborate. What am I missing?

If you have a PCR with a positive result, after 14 days of the test date you can travel freely for up to 180 days I think without needing a new PCR. So, assuming you recover fine, it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to travel after getting a positive PCR than having to take one every time you need to return to Canada.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If you have a PCR with a positive result, after 14 days of the test date you can travel freely for up to 180 days I think without needing a new PCR. So, assuming you recover fine, it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to travel after getting a positive PCR than having to take one every time you need to return to Canada.

Exactly…but it’s after 10 days now, no longer 14 as of January 15th. You are also exempt from arrival testing.
I don’t want to be sick or anything though.