New rules requiring travellers to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before getting on a plane to Canada went into effect this week, leaving some British Columbians scrambling to get tested so they can come home.
Trina Dang-Bordes, a longtime travel agent with Marlin Travel, is trying to help two clients from Delta who are stuck in Tennessee, where they recently travelled to visit a terminally ill relative.
Their flight is scheduled to leave the U.S. on Monday morning, but the required test is done five hours from where they are staying, and testing and results are not available on the weekend.
“Now we don’t know what to do and she is really stressed out about it,” said Dang-Bordes. “This is a very hard thing for a lot of people that are overseas right now.”
Dang-Bordes said her clients will likely have to reschedule their flight.
On Thursday, new rules went into effect that require passengers over the age of five flying into Canada from abroad to show their airline written or electronic proof of negative COVID-19 test results before getting on their flight.
A molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which involves a deep nasal swab and is distinct from a rapid test, must be administered less than 72 hours before takeoff, or 96 hours in the case of two dozen countries, mostly in the Caribbean.
The U.S. is not included on the list of countries with the longer timeline.
Travellers entering Canada must still complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine, and provide proof of their quarantine plan to officials. Failing to comply with quarantine rules is an offence and violations can mean fines or jail time.
Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Wednesday that officials consider it “perfectly reasonable” to expect that people can get the test and results within 72 hours.
However, Health Minister Patty Hajdu acknowledged that the requirement serves as a deterrent.
“This is exactly why we are advising people not to travel internationally,” she said. “The reality is they may find it difficult — even in countries that have the PCR testing capacity — to acquire a test within the required timeframe.”
Dang-Bordes said she and her fellow agents are advising people against travelling at this time, but they are there to help those who need to take a trip.
It is unclear whether COVID-19 or trip interruption insurance will cover a change of travel plans related to pre-flight testing, and will likely depend on the insurance company. When it comes to paying for the cost of a PCR test abroad, the Transport Canada website says travellers should check with their provider about whether it would be covered as a COVID-19-related medical expense.
Dang-Bordes said one of her colleagues has clients who are in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, who are trying to get tests before they return, but are looking at the prospect of paying $400 to $500 US for each test.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
