The federal government is imposing strict new rules on travellers arriving by air, including testing on arrival for all passengers with the exception of flights from the U.S.
"In the coming days, all fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air from departure points other than the United States will be subject to arrival testing," said a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
"Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to quarantine while they await the results of their arrival test," the statement added, without suggesting an estimated wait time.
The announcement comes in the wake of the World Health Organization classifying 'Omicron' as a COVID-19 variant of concern.
"Since then it has been found in a number of countries and regions, including the confirmation of several travel-related cases in Canada," PHAC stated. "Moving forward, border testing surveillance will be adjusted based on the latest available evidence to further reduce the risk of importation of this variant."
The public health agency says unvaccinated travellers, with right of entry to Canada, will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. "However, those arriving by air will now be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or other suitable location while they await the result of their on-arrival test."
The federal government also expanded the list of African nations with entry prohibitions. Foreign nationals who have been in Egypt, Nigeria and Malawi within the previous 14 days will not be permitted entry into Canada. The same restrictions were already in place for Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Enhanced pre-entry and arrival testing, screening, and quarantine measures will be in place for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with status under the Indian Act, who have been in any of these 10 countries in the previous 14 days.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said the new requirements are a "near-term, precautionary circuit breaker, which will allow us to assess the evolving situation and determine any additional measures going forward to safeguard Canadians' health."
The 'circuit breaker' for the Omicron variant could be a heart-breaker for a travel industry just beginning to show signs of renewal. Another time-consuming airport process could be a major disincentive for leisure travel.
Canadians returning by air from vacation from a destination outside the U.S. will now have to take a PCR test before departing and be tested again on arrival in Canada.
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