Canada extends Covid testing for travellers from China
Canada has extended by two months Covid-19-related testing requirements on air passengers arriving from China due in part to “limited epidemiological data available from China.”
The announcement of the extension of the measures specific to China, Hong Kong and Macao, first implemented on January 5, was made by the Public Health Agency of Canada or PHAC.
These health measures, including temporary pre-boarding test requirements and arrival screening, will now remain in place till April 4.
A release from PHAC said this action was predicated on “continued reports of a dramatic increase of Covid-19 cases in China since the lifting of restrictions”.
“Despite the data provided by China thus far, on-going gaps in data availability remain a significant concern,” the agency added.
It also said that other factors taken into account were “the potential impact of China’s reopening on Canada’s health care system” and “responses of partner countries and international organizations.”
In addition, passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before their departure flight, but no more than 90 days, can provide the airline with documentation of their prior positive.