On September 21, Transport Canada announced that suspension on direct flights from India to Canada will continue until September 27. However, Air Canada direct flights were already on their way to India. There was some mix up of the events and Transport Canada covered it up by saying that “As a first step, on September 22, 2021, three direct flights from India will arrive in Canada and all passengers on these flights will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival to ensure that the new measures are working.” Government was busy in elections and no officials bothered about reviewing the suspension on direct flights from India. As a result, Air Canada resumed direct flights on September 21 because previous order expired on the prescribed date and time.
Good news in all this mix up is that direct flights from India to Canada are officially resuming on September 27 at 12:01 a.m.. Converting this to Delhi time zone, it comes out to be September 27 at 9:31 a.m.. Transport Canada shared this information again via tweets around 18 hours ago.
New Guidelines:
(Information sourced from Government of Canada’s website)
Travelers departing from India will need to fulfill following requirements for direct flights.
- Obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from the Genestrings Laboratory, located above the metro station in the Airport Connect Building (ACB) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Click here to know requirements and how to book test at airport.
- This test should be within 18 hours before their scheduled departure.
- Present the test report with a QR code issued by this laboratory to the air operator before boarding
Alternatively, travelers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 can present a positive molecular test issued by a certified laboratory in India. The date of collection must have been between 14 and 180 days before their scheduled departure to Canada.
Indirect flights:
(Information sourced from Government of Canada’s website)
After the resumption of direct flights, travelers who are eligible to enter Canada who depart India for Canada via an indirect route will continue to be required to obtain, within 72 hours of departure, a valid negative COVID-19 molecular test from a third country – other than India – before continuing their journey to Canada.
Keep in mind:
- certain countries don’t allow entry or transit of passengers arriving from India or of passengers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19
- COVID-19 testing for passengers in transit might not be available in all international airports or third countries
- if you test positive during transit, you may face local quarantine regulations or be returned to your point of departure
Don’t Ignore This Information
Please note that apart from this pre-arrival testing, there may be additional testing requirements such as on-arrival testing and day-8 testing. In addition to that, you need to provide a quarantine plan at Canadian airport. Fully vaccinated need to provide proof of vaccination. All this information is to be provided via ArriveCAN app; otherwise, you will be denied entry to Canada. For detailed testing requirement and quarantine requirement visit following links:
