Travelling To Canada - Random Selected Mandatory COVID-19 Testing Heads Up

fleetingmind

I went to Toronto last week and had my vaccination passports, eTA and bar code from completed ArriveCAN app ready. I had been warned that they randomly test people on arrival which I assumed would be straight off the flight after passport control.  

On my way to my hotel I received an email saying I had been selected for mandatory COVID-19 testing and had to complete a COVID-19 molecular test with a Public Health Agency of Canada approved test provider. I had until the end of the next day to complete this. Four hours later in the middle of the night I received another email saying their records indicated I had not complied with the Public Health Agency of Canada's requirement to complete the test. Failure to complete the test could lead to penalties including fines. I got several more within the next day and a total of 7 emails. 

You can do it at the airport but i got the email 40 mins later when i was almost at my hotel so it wasn't an option to do it at the airport. There are select Shoppers Drug Mart in the city which you can use. I turned up at one and was amazed to find out it was PCR test and the results take 3-4 DAYS and I was free to carry on with my trip and also fine to fly onto NY. Test was free though. I did the test on a Tuesday and got the results as well as loads of calls on the Friday. 

It did overshadow my trip as I did worry until I had done the test and knew I wouldn't be in Canada when the results came back but I did wonder what happens if it did come back positive while in Canada (Quarantine?!) or knock on effect if I was say in the US wanting to fly on somewhere else. While I doubt the Canadian and US authorities have linked systems I'm sure when you check in you agree to a declaration saying you hadn't tested positive in the past number of days. I had tested negative a day or so before my trip but you just never know. 

People we spoke to from Toronto said they were under pressure to ditch these tests as it was affecting tourist numbers and the fact you can do what you like for 5 days after getting the email surely defeats the object and can only be beneficial for data. 

Thought I would share in case people are due to go to Canada. If people are travelling and worried they may be selected you may be able to do a test int he UK before flight flight and use those results. (Don't quote me on that).  

onashoestring

Thanks for sharing your recent experience of travel to Canada . 

fleetingmind said:

I went to Toronto last week ..   I had been warned that they randomly test people on arrival which I assumed would be straight off the flight after passport control.  

……. I did wonder what happens if it did come back positive while in Canada (Quarantine?!) 

The FCDO travel advice on gov.uk provides this information: 

“From 19 July, arrivals testing will take place outside of airports either via an in-person appointment at select testing provider locations and pharmacies, or a virtual appointment for a self-swab test – further information is available on the government of Canada’s travel pages . If selected for arrivals testing, you are not required to quarantine while awaiting the result.

If your arrival test is positive, you must isolate for 10 days.”

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada/entry-requirements

fleetingmind said:

….  If people are travelling and worried they may be selected you may be able to do a test int he UK before flight flight and use those results. (Don't quote me on that).  

These won’t be accepted. One of the requirements for  fully vaccinated arrivals entering Canada is : 

• “take a test on arrival, if selected”