Travellers Entering Canada Must Now Take COVID-19 Tests Earlier & Here's Why
The third COVID-19 test for incoming travellers has been brought forward.
The federal government has confirmed that Canada's travel rules have been updated, with incoming travellers now expected to take their third COVID-19 test two days earlier.
In a notice shared on Monday, Health Canada announced that "all travellers must take their 2nd on-arrival COVID-19 test on day 8 instead of day 10."
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Per the current travel rules, all incoming travellers must take a COVID-19 test prior to departure to Canada, another test upon arrival in the country and a third test on the eighth (previously tenth) day of their 14 day quarantine period.
Explaining the change, Health Canada said, "By moving to day 8, we will identify positive cases sooner and allow earlier sequencing of variants."
It comes as COVID-19 virus variants continue to be a concern across Canada. Last week, the federal government announced a ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan as the B.1.617 variant (first detected in India) continues to spread in Canada.
*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.