Canada resumes COVID-19 testing at airports
The government attributes this to the need to identify new strains.
The federal government says it will resume mandatory random COVID-19 testing for international travelers arriving at Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal airports starting July 19.
Earlier, testing of fully vaccinated travelers had been suspended due to long delays and queues. In order to avoid chaos, the government has launched an initiative to move the organized test locations away from airports. Also, travelers can do the tests themselves within 1 day of arrival.
It is noted that those arriving from connecting flights to other Canadian cities will not need to leave the airport, they can be tested at the final point.
Travel industry leaders reacted negatively to the return of the tests, calling it a step backward in a statement that will negatively affect Canadian and international travelers.
Meanwhile, airport authorities are commenting cautiously, stressing that they are happy to move the tests off-site.
