PCR Test requirement return to Canada question??

[Canadian Tom]

Any word or idea if and when they will remover the PCR test to return to Canada at airport or land crossing? It seems redundant now. We are planning on returning to Canada in early to middle April. Thanks Canadian Tom

 

[igrsod]

I don't have a crystal ball, but I hope it is soon. I can't even get a pcr test here at home if I'm sick.. seems silly that I have to pay for one to travel home especially being triple vaxxed without symptoms.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Can't see it being for a couple months at least.

We'll see the requirement dropped for the 72 hr or less trips first.

 

[ellbell]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/polit...esent-plan-to-end-covid-19-mandates-1.5776015

 

[hdrolfe]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/polit...esent-plan-to-end-covid-19-mandates-1.5776015

As long as it's a plan with some clear steps not just an abrupt end to all the mandates. If that makes sense to people.

 

[Etch]

Just my guesses....

1. You'll see the arrival testing at airports end very shortly

2. The PCR test for return flights and to cross the land border will remain until at least after March break. They could end anytime after that. Hopefully I'm wrong as I'd love it to be earlier.

 

[hdrolfe]

Does anyone know when the cruise season starts in Canada? My feeling is the PCR test requirement for return flights/driving across will end before that, I can't see them cancelling the season again, and can see that causing issues for travelers. But that's a guess. I also agree I don't see it ending before March breaks are done.

 

[ellbell]

Does anyone know when the cruise season starts in Canada? My feeling is the PCR test requirement for return flights/driving across will end before that, I can't see them cancelling the season again, and can see that causing issues for travelers. But that's a guess. I also agree I don't see it ending before March breaks are done.

I've seen on some of cruise forums that people have booked cruises out of Vancouver starting in April

 

[bcwife76]

Does anyone know when the cruise season starts in Canada? My feeling is the PCR test requirement for return flights/driving across will end before that, I can't see them cancelling the season again, and can see that causing issues for travelers. But that's a guess. I also agree I don't see it ending before March breaks are done.

The Caribbean Princess is the the first ship to be docking in Canada since 2020. She docks in Victoria on April 6th for the day before ending her cruise in Vancouver on April 7th. Just two months to go

 

[Canadian Tom]

Today on the news the doctors and politicians were talking about maybe it's time to remove the PCR returning test since most if not all of our transmission is within the community. Hopefully it will be soon. The test does now seem redundant.

 

[Minniemoo15]

I do feel it will be sooner rather than later but maybe its just wishful thinking on my part. I was going to spend $600 on Switch health tests for our March 13 return to Canada but I am holding off on those. If still required I’ll deal with the hassle of finding a PCR in Orlando. But I feel somewhat optimistic that it will be gone (or at least changed to a rapid) by then.

 

[spewey]

The problem is, allowing for antigen tests (which is what most people mean by rapid, although there are rapid molecular tests widely available in the US) but keeping the requirement for a negative result to return changes, in my mind, almost nothing. That will still mean isolating abroad for two weeks and all the attendant expenses unless they also drop that rule.

 

[Minniemoo15]

The problem is, allowing for antigen tests (which is what most people mean by rapid, although there are rapid molecular tests widely available in the US) but keeping the requirement for a negative result to return changes, in my mind, almost nothing. That will still mean isolating abroad for two weeks and all the attendant expenses unless they also drop that rule.

Rapid antigens would be better for my family because a) it’s a lot cheaper and more easily accessible and b) it’s not as sensitive as PCRs to past infections. My worry is what if we had omicron and were asymptomatic … and the first time it will show up is on our return PCR. But I agree, I would much rather the testing gone all together.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Rapid antigens would be better for my family because a) it’s a lot cheaper and more easily accessible and b) it’s not as sensitive as PCRs to past infections. My worry is what if we had omicron and were asymptomatic … and the first time it will show up is on our return PCR. But I agree, I would much rather the testing gone all together.

I have enough tests for us to test every second day while in Florida...so that if we did actually test positive, we could use our switch health test for our positive result, then start our isolation them instead of waiting until the last few days of our trip to start isolating.

I have so many plans in place for " in-case" scenarios lol. A person needs to do what they need to do if they wanna have fun

 

[damo]

Rapid antigens would be better for my family because a) it’s a lot cheaper and more easily accessible and b) it’s not as sensitive as PCRs to past infections. My worry is what if we had omicron and were asymptomatic … and the first time it will show up is on our return PCR. But I agree, I would much rather the testing gone all together.

But is it more easily accessible and free?

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Update coming from Ottawa at 1pm today! Let’s hope it is an easing or elimination of much of the testing requirements in place now.

 

[Honeypot]

They are saying it will be announced PCR will be eliminated, rapid antigen only required as of March 1st. Also, kids under 12 will no longer need to quarantine 14 days upon arrival.

Small steps forward!

 

[Minniemoo15]

I wish it was all testing eliminated but I am happy with the change to rapid test . It will be easier and cheaper for my family to just bring along the switch health tests in our suitcase.
I am happy they are reportedly lifting the non essential travel advisory. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel better about going.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I wish it was all testing eliminated but I am happy with the change to rapid test . It will be easier and cheaper for my family to just bring along the switch health tests in our suitcase.
I am happy they are reportedly lifting the non essential travel advisory. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel better about going.

I highly doubt that you will be able to use an over-the-counter rapid test. It will still need to be supervised by a health official of some sort. So it is still a logistics thing that has to be sorted completed. And if the test is inconclusive or a false positive, you will still need to rush around to have another test performed etc etc etc. Not any easier with just a silly rapid test either

 

[hdrolfe]

I highly doubt that you will be able to use an over-the-counter rapid test. It will still need to be supervised by a health official of some sort. So it is still a logistics thing that has to be sorted completed. And if the test is inconclusive or a false positive, you will still need to rush around to have another test performed etc etc etc. Not any easier with just a silly rapid test either

The Switch rapid tests are much cheaper, and still monitored... so I think it's a much easier solution. It's not like the boxes sent home by my kid's school. However, until they actually make an announcement we'll have to see what will be.