Canada Will Require COVID Test For Flights From China Starting Jan 5

Last Updated On 31 December 2022, 7:13 PM EST (Toronto Time)

December 31, 2022 – Today, Government of Canada announces a temporary negative COVID-19 test requirement for travellers arriving from China, Hong Kong, or Macao.

This new measure is announced in response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the China. Additionally, given the limited epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data from China.

Effective January 5, 2023 12:01 a.m. EST (Toronto Time); all passengers 2 years of age and older arriving on airlines originating from China, Hong Kong, or Macao will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

This new announcement for travellers came in after the United States announced the negative COVID test requirement for travellers from China on December 28, 2022.

This test must be taken no more than 2 days before the departure, to the airline prior to boarding the flight.

This new testing requirement will be applicable to all air travellers, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.

Type Of Test Required

A negative molecular test (such as a PCR test) or a negative antigen test with documentation demonstrating that it was monitored by a telehealth service or a certified laboratory or testing provider.

Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days but no more than 90 days before their departure flight might present proof of their past positive in lieu of a negative test result.

This temporary test requirement will stay in effect for 30 days. Canada will re-evaluate the situation after 30 days with availability of more data and evidence.

Canada now joins the United States, India, Italy, and Japan in requiring negative COVID test for travellers from China.

Fingers crossed that COVID woes don’t enter new year 2023 and this outbreak is contained before spreading to other countries.

Canadian government is already recommending individuals in Canada planning to travel overseas to complete a COVID-19 vaccination series, as well as booster doses, at least 14 days before departure.

As of January 5, air travellers on flights from China, Hong Kong or Macao will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding. The safety of Canadians and the transportation industry will always be top priorities. https://t.co/vKQtcWW02n

— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) December 31, 2022

Since the onset of the pandemic, we’ve implemented strong measures at our borders to limit the spread of COVID-19.

That continues now.

We’ll continue to take an evidence-based approach at our borders to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. https://t.co/ex6xW6tlvS

— Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) December 31, 2022

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