Canada ‘very carefully’ over PCR testing rules as US land border reopens – National | Nation World News

The United States on Monday reopened its land border to fully vaccinated Canadians against COVID-19, but travelers will still have to show a negative PCR test on their way back to Canada, and there’s no There is no clear indication when this might change.

Right now, any traveler attempting to enter Canada must provide a negative PCR test taken at their own expense, and must take no more than 72 hours from their arrival at the border.

The government told Global News that it is looking “quite carefully” on the need for these tests, but has no plans to immediately drop the need – despite calls from both border city mayors and industry representatives to do so. .

“We are watching these requirements very carefully. As the COVID situation remains volatile, officials and experts will continue to evaluate measures in place, and make necessary adjustments as necessary,” said spokesman for Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos Andrew McCendrick said in a statement emailed to Global News on Monday.

His statement came just hours after mayors of border cities such as Windsor and Niagara Falls called on the Canadian government to eliminate the PCR test obligation as soon as possible.

“When you tell a family, ‘It will cost you another $1,000 to travel … and you won’t have a nice place to eat or a place to live,’ they choose not to,” Jim Diodati Said, who is the mayor of Niagara Falls.

“They are a lot like water. They take the path of least resistance.”

2:22
US Representative Higgins joins call to end Canada’s PCR test requirement for returning travelers

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens echoed Diodati’s concerns. He said there is now a “route” for families to reunite on either side of the border, but it has been “moistened” by “unfair and costly” tests, which sometimes cost up to $200.

“This PCR test requirement is a hard-stopping barrier to reuniting families, except for Canada’s wealthiest,” Dilkens said.

“And that’s unfair.”

Dilkens said the need for testing “has nothing to do with science,” especially noting that testing can be done up to 72 hours before the border is reached.

“One of the biggest football events locally is the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game. Thousands of Canadians flock to Detroit each year to watch the game and participate in activities before and after the game,” Dilkens said.

3:51
US land border now open to Canadians after 20 months of closure

“The current system allows someone in Canada to take a PCR test, cross into Detroit to cheer on the Lions with 65,000 other fans at the stadium, and then return to Canada using the test they’ve tested before leaving.” comes.”

Still, Chief Public Health Officer Dr Theresa Tam has defended the ongoing need.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said officials are investigating “epidemiological factors” between Canada and the US as they weigh whether the testing system should remain in place.

“Things can change very quickly in the winter months. We wanted to take a cautious, phased approach and are doing so for our border measures,” Tam said.

“We will investigate those policies.”

3:44
Seniors’ concern over PCR testing requirements

According to Dr. Barry Peakes, assistant professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Medicine, there is legitimate tension at play when it comes to that test.

“If the idea is really to prevent people coming down with COVID, whether they’ve been vaccinated or not, then PCR testing is definitely the way to go,” Pex said.

The PCR test is “far more accurate” than a rapid test, and it provides “a level of standardization and accountability”, he said.

But, “if the government’s goal is to facilitate travel or enable travel and vacations in the coming holidays, it makes sense to get rid of (the need),” Peckes said.

“I think this is the tension that the government needs to address right now.”

According to Pex, there are many ideas at play.

“There are a significant number of Americans who have not been vaccinated. There are variable regulations regarding masks and other public health measures, and so it is not unreasonable to think that people who travel to the US may also come back with COVID, “They said.

“It’s going to be a fairly small number and it’s unlikely they can pass it on here and there, when they come back.”

But it is “difficult” to know whether people with cases crossing into Canada pose a “significant risk”, Peckes said.

“We are immunizing very well. About nine out of 10 Ontarios have at least one dose,” he said, but “there are 10 percent who don’t.”

3:44
Seniors’ concern over PCR testing requirements

According to Pex, there is still an opportunity for “significant spread” among Canada’s uninsured population — and this includes children under the age of 12 who have not yet been approved for the shot.

Ultimately, Peakes said he believes the government is making the right call in noticing the need for testing.

“I hope they keep (testing needed) as difficult as it is for people,” he said.

“As we’ve seen, when we make easy choices or ‘early’ choices, sometimes we pay for it in the end – and not so far in the future.”