Canada changes vaccinated traveler requirements: Canadians returning from short trips must take COVID test

DETROIT – The Canadian government is reinstating testing requirements for vaccinated travelers returning to the country after short foreign trips.

• Effective December 21, 2021, at 12:01 am (EST): All Canadians returning from short trips must take a molecular pre-entry test. The test can’t be taken in Canada before you leave.
• Travellers are eligible to enter or return to Canada if they qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.

Accepted types of molecular tests:

• PCR -- Polymerase chain reaction
• Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)

These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.

NOTE: Rapid antigen tests aren’t accepted.

Providing proof of your result

When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:

• Traveller name and date of birth
• Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
• The date on which the test was taken
• The type of test taken
• The test result

Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.

For more information on the pre-entry testing, go here: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

Related: Detroit Red Wings offering cheaper PCR tests to lure Canadian hockey fans across the border (CTV Windsor News)