Canada’s airports are warning they’re not prepared to test all international travellers.
The Canadian Airports Council is concerned the new testing mandate for all arrivals, apart from the U.S., could cause long line ups and hefty delays.
The holiday travel season is getting ready to kick into high gear.
The council has released a statement saying although it supports the move to prevent the spread of the highly mutated variant, the plan is not feasible if the testing occurs only at airports.
They’re worried resources could be stretched thin under the new border travel measures and want the federal government to help.
“The only operationally-feasible way to test 100 per cent of international arriving travellers — from all countries except the U.S.,” says President Daniel-Robert Gooch. “Is to provide off-site tests, such as those that travellers can take at their home or other point of self-isolation.
Officials have not said when the policy will come into effect, who will administer the tests, and whether the testing will be offered on-site or through take-home kits.
However, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says government’s top priority is keeping Canadians safe regardless of longer wait times at airports.
“I want to thank all travellers for their collaboration and patience as these new changes may increase delays at the border in the coming days and weeks,” Mendicino says. “Our border service officers will never compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times.”
The council says it has yet to see the federal government’s full plan.
The federal health minister believes the testing could be put into effect at any time depending on the airport and its testing capacity.
Meantime, President Joe Biden has announced a slew of public health measures to prevent the virus’ spread this winter, which will impact Canadians looking to travel into the United States.
Starting next week, the current 72-hour testing window for fully vaccinated travellers will be cut.
That means Canadians and all other foreign visitors will need a COVID-19 test the day before flying into the U.S.
