PCR test requirement for entry into Canada?

[JimMIA]

Dumb American questioner here -- please bear with me.

I have looked at the Canadian government website and I think I understand the requirements, but I'm not sure I have the PCR test requirements right.

It sounds like we have to have a negative test result from a PCR test less than 72 hours prior to ARRIVAL in Canada for the ArriveCAN application.

We are not able to get PCR test results in that timeframe. Our PCR tests are taking 4-5 days consistently (DD's last one took 6 days), so if I understand the requirement correctly we will not be able to do the Victoria trip we had planned on the way to Alaska.

Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[TammyLynn33]

Dumb American questioner here -- please bear with me.

I have looked at the Canadian government website and I think I understand the requirements, but I'm not sure I have the PCR test requirements right.

It sounds like we have to have a negative test result from a PCR test less than 72 hours prior to ARRIVAL in Canada for the ArriveCAN application.

We are not able to get PCR test results in that timeframe. Our PCR tests are taking 4-5 days consistently (DD's last one took 6 days), so if I understand the requirement correctly we will not be able to do the Victoria trip we had planned on the way to Alaska.

Am I understanding this correctly?

yes . BUT private pay places will do rush ones rapid PCR or NAAT tests . Be prepared to pay $100-250 each. Hope that helps

 

[JimMIA]

yes . BUT private pay places will do rush ones rapid PCR or NAAT tests . Be prepared to pay $100-250 each. Hope that helps

Thanks TammyLynn. That may be the kiss of death for our Victoria/Alaska trip. It's just turning out to be one problem after another. But I do appreciate the help!

I will check our private sources here in Miami.

Our plan is to fly to Seattle, Victoria Clipper ferry to and from Victoria, two days in Victoria and then to Alaska. But every step of the way except Miami-Seattle and Anchorage-Miami has been an endless sea of hurdles and lack of availability -- the total opposite of when I planned the trip for 2020.

 

[DisneYE]

I recently flew into YYZ from MCO
Took PCR test at CVS, those drive thru ones, got the result in 24 hours, even though they advertise as 3-4 days for results. It was a breeze, results by text to your phone.
You present your negative result at the check in counter and that's it. They make sure it's <72 hours, not time stamp.
If you have a CVS in your area and you have insurance, it's free and fast.

 

[hdrolfe]

There is a pinned sticky at the top of the Canada board
here
with options for testing to return to Canada, mostly for Orlando but many of the places linked to have locations in Miami area as well, including Curative and BeeperMD, they are free (I believe you'd have to provide your insurance information if you have it).

Depending on when your cruise is (I'm assuming later than April) the rules may have changed. There is some push to change/reduce the testing requirements so it may not be as onerous by then

 

[JimMIA]

There is a pinned sticky at the top of the Canada board
here
with options for testing to return to Canada, mostly for Orlando but many of the places linked to have locations in Miami area as well, including Curative and BeeperMD, they are free (I believe you'd have to provide your insurance information if you have it).

Depending on when your cruise is (I'm assuming later than April) the rules may have changed. There is some push to change/reduce the testing requirements so it may not be as onerous by then

Thanks. We're not cruising. And yes, our trip is scheduled for July.

 

[hdrolfe]

Thanks. We're not cruising. And yes, our trip is scheduled for July.

Ah sorry, I misunderstood thought it was a cruise to Alaska. But I really hope things are much easier for travel by July and the testing to come to Canada is gone.

 

[JimMIA]

Ah sorry, I misunderstood thought it was a cruise to Alaska. But I really hope things are much easier for travel by July and the testing to come to Canada is gone.

Thanks. I hope Covid is better so we can all be better by July.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks. I hope Covid is better so we can all be better by July.

Fellow American here (albeit a dual citizen living in Canada).
Dude, barring another variant of concern, I would feel decent--not positive, but truly optimistic--that things will have eased. At the very least, the tide is turning to allowing rapid antigen tests. CBC Radio One's The Current just had more doctors on this morning talking about it.
In the meantime, I wish you good health BUT if anyone in your house gets Covid, get it confirmed with a PCR test and get a doctor's note two weeks later saying you have recovered. You can then come into Canada with no testing requirements for 180 days after the date of the positive PCR test.
GL and happy trails!

 

[spewey]

"At the very least, the tide is turning to allowing rapid antigen tests."

And this is my big fear - allow antigen tests, and then .... never removing them. The CBC interviewed several doctors that acknowledged mandating a "PCR" test (which of course has never actually been mandated" no longer makes sense, but most said "but you still need to test" to come back into the country, without any discussion of what exact Public Health benefit that provides, or the metrics for ending that mandate.

I know I'm a broken record, and have posted this on several threads, but as long as you have to take ANY test to return, will the result potentially meaning being stuck for two weeks in a foreign country scrambling to find a hotel to isolate in and then arrange for food and supplies for you and your family, I don't see travel being reasonable for almost anyone.

 

[heathere3]

"At the very least, the tide is turning to allowing rapid antigen tests."

And this is my big fear - allow antigen tests, and then .... never removing them. The CBC interviewed several doctors that acknowledged mandating a "PCR" test (which of course has never actually been mandated" no longer makes sense, but most said "but you still need to test" to come back into the country, without any discussion of what exact Public Health benefit that provides, or the metrics for ending that mandate.

I know I'm a broken record, and have posted this on several threads, but as long as you have to take ANY test to return, will the result potentially meaning being stuck for two weeks in a foreign country scrambling to find a hotel to isolate in and then arrange for food and supplies for you and your family, I don't see travel being reasonable for almost anyone.

And that is precisely why we have cancelled two long planned international trips. It's just too risky. It sucks, but I'm hopeful that 2023 will see me going all over!

 

[damo]

"At the very least, the tide is turning to allowing rapid antigen tests."

And this is my big fear - allow antigen tests, and then .... never removing them. The CBC interviewed several doctors that acknowledged mandating a "PCR" test (which of course has never actually been mandated" no longer makes sense, but most said "but you still need to test" to come back into the country, without any discussion of what exact Public Health benefit that provides, or the metrics for ending that mandate.

I know I'm a broken record, and have posted this on several threads, but as long as you have to take ANY test to return, will the result potentially meaning being stuck for two weeks in a foreign country scrambling to find a hotel to isolate in and then arrange for food and supplies for you and your family, I don't see travel being reasonable for almost anyone.

Yes. I don't see where antigen tests are any better. You still have to go and find a place that does them and worry about it.

 

[spewey]

Yes. I don't see where antigen tests are any better. You still have to go and find a place that does them and worry about it.

One of the doctors quoted said "you can just take the test at the airport before boarding". To me, that clearly indicates they have put no actual thought into what that would actually mean. For example - what airport? All of them in the world? Who would supply the tests? And most importantly - you're at the airport, with all your luggage, family and kids in tow, and guess what - one of you are positive on these not-really-100-percent-accurate-tests-that-may-just-show-you-were-infected-months-ago tests! Now guess what - get out of the airport IMMEDIATELY and go find a place to isolate in for two weeks - assuming that is, when you return to said airport, another one of you doesn't now test positive, which means - start isolating all over again!
Who wants to take that chance?

 

[damo]

One of the doctors quoted said "you can just take the test at the airport before boarding". To me, that clearly indicates they have put no actual thought into what that would actually mean. For example - what airport? All of them in the world? Who would supply the tests? And most importantly - you're at the airport, with all your luggage, family and kids in tow, and guess what - one of you are positive on these not-really-100-percent-accurate-tests-that-may-just-show-you-were-infected-months-ago tests! Now guess what - get out of the airport IMMEDIATELY and go find a place to isolate in for two weeks - assuming that is, when you return to said airport, another one of you doesn't now test positive, which means - start isolating all over again!
Who wants to take that chance?

Yup, makes no sense.

 

[Minniemoo15]

If they do keep the rapid antigen tests, the switch health ones are an excellent option . Reasonably priced (40$ per test), near instant results and can be done via video call from the comfort of your hotel room.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

If they do keep the rapid antigen tests, the switch health ones are an excellent option . Reasonably priced (40$ per test), near instant results and can be done via video call from the comfort of your hotel room.

How do you get these? I can only find their molecular tests.

 

[Minniemoo15]

How do you get these? I can only find their molecular tests.

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/#collectionKits

 

[HeatherLassell]

If they do keep the rapid antigen tests, the switch health ones are an excellent option . Reasonably priced (40$ per test), near instant results and can be done via video call from the comfort of your hotel room.

Yup I'd rather pay $40CDN each than $65USD each at the MCO airport.