Beginning February 28, travelers going to Canada will no longer be required to take a PCR test upon arrival, and rapid antigen tests conducted pre-boarding may be submitted instead of the PCR test previously required 72-hours prior to travel. Travelers are still required to be fully vaccinated.
The changes are part of a phased easing of travel restrictions announced by the Canadian government on February 15, 2022. At a press conference, Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said that a drop in positivity rates and an expectation of continued improvement due to high vaccination rates in Canada have led to the relaxed requirements.
The government has accordingly adjusted from a Level 3 Travel Health Notice to a Level 2, which means it will no longer recommend Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes. Regardless, Minister Duclos said that international travel continues to carry a risk for exposure to and development of COVID-19.
Travelers to Canada must still register through the ArriveCan web portal before travel, provide proof of vaccination and submit a quarantine plan. They also may still be randomly selected for PCR testing upon arrival but will not be required to quarantine while awaiting a test result.
For more details see the Canadian Government website on COVID-19: Travel, Testing and Borders.
