Starting on Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians taking short trips abroad will no longer need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return home, Ottawa confirmed at a news conference Friday. 

The federal government said the test exemption will apply to fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours. The rule will also apply to unvaccinated people with a right of entry if they are under the age of 12 and accompanied by their fully vaccinated guardians, or can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. 

For now, Canadians returning from longer trips and foreign travellers entering Canada will still have to show proof of a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border. 

The government said travellers taking shorter trips carry less risk. 

“If a Canadian wanted to go across for a quick shopping trip in the U.S., maybe get some cheap gas or whatever … the actual risk for themselves, as well as obviously when they come back to Canada, is pretty minimal,” said Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said that at this time, Canada isn’t extending the test exemption to American travellers taking short trips for logistical reasons. She said Canada can track the amount of time Canadians spend abroad, but can’t do the same for Americans.

‘If an American traveller comes into Canada, I believe they have a right to stay for six months, for example,” she said, noting there is no way to know how long they would actually stay within that timeframe.

However, the government said it will review entry requirements for American travellers at a later date. 

 “We’re taking a phased approach to the easing of border measures,” said Tam.

More vaccines accepted

The government also announced it will expand its list of accepted vaccines for travellers.

Currently, Ottawa only recognizes Health Canada approved vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. But starting Nov. 30, Canada will recognize as fully vaccinated those who were inoculated with World Health Organization approved vaccines Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN.

The government also said that starting on Jan. 15, certain groups of travellers who are currently exempt from certain entry requirements will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated. 

Those groups include individuals reuniting with family, international students, professional athletes, temporary foreign workers and essential service workers including truck drivers. 

“With more Canadians getting vaccinated every day, we can move forward cautiously toward a more open border economy and society,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “At the same time, we can’t let our guard down.”

Test cost made short trips impractical

The government’s announcement that it will drop the test requirement for Canadians taking short trips follows weeks of lobbying from politicians, the tourism industry, seniors and business groups for Ottawa to drop the requirement for all vaccinated travellers. 

Molecular tests — such as the popular PCR test — can range from $150 to $300, making travelling abroad cost prohibitive for some people.

Sometimes travellers can get free tests in the U.S., but they aren’t available in all parts of the country, and might not provide results within a traveller’s time frame. 

Requiring travellers to take the test for short jaunts across the border has sparked the most criticism, because the potential cost of the test makes the trip impractical for many.

“Who’s going to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for a quick trip to go buy groceries or gas or going to eat or even visit friends?” said Faye Chamberlain of Stanstead, Que., which borders Vermont.

In pre-pandemic times, Chamberlain crossed into the U.S. several times a week. Now that she no longer has to worry about shelling out for a test, Chamberlain is ready to resume her cross-border trips. 

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “I haven’t been anywhere because [of the test].”

Border towns embrace decision

The test exemption is also being embraced by U.S. border towns, such as Point Roberts, Wash., which borders B.C. and has seen its economy tank thanks to the disappearance of B.C. tourists during the pandemic. 

Ali Hayton, owner of Point Robert’s only grocery store, said that even though the U.S. land border has now reopened to fully vaccinated Canadians, many tourists haven’t returned — thanks to the cost of the test. 

“A family of four, you’re looking at six hundred bucks to come down for the day,” she said.

But Hayton said the new test exemption should help spur economic activity in the town. 

“It’ll definitely change things, once those people can drive across and pick up a package or fill their gas tank or just come down and have lunch at the café.”

Tests still required for longer trips

But not everyone is fully celebrating just yet, as Canadians taking longer trips and foreigners entering Canada still have to take the molecular test.

On Friday, the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the National Airlines Council each issued statements criticizing the government for not dropping the test for all vaccinated travellers. 

“By only focusing on short trips and Canadian travellers, government has taken a piecemeal approach that is not justified,” said Mike McNaney, president of the airlines council. “To our knowledge, no other country in the world has adopted such a narrow approach.”

Tam said vaccinated travellers still carry risk, so the government must take a cautious approach to lifting border measures. 

“The pandemic is very much alive,” she said. “There is a reduced risk in those who are vaccinated, but if they do get infected, they can potentially transmit [the virus] to others.”

When fully vaccinated Canadians cross into the U.S. by land, they face no test requirement. 

Air passengers to the U.S. must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, but can opt for an antigen test which costs as little as $20. 

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