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Ottawa set to detail requirements of COVID-19 negative test for air travellers today

OTTAWA — The federal government is expected to provide details later today on its plan to make travellers test negative for COVID-19 before landing in Canada.
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People wearing protective equipment check in at the international departures at Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Monday, December 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

OTTAWA — The federal government is expected to provide details later today on its plan to make travellers test negative for COVID-19 before landing in Canada. 

Yesterday, the Liberals announced that all passengers on flights entering the country will soon be required to have a negative PCR test three days before their arrival.

Transport Minister Marc Garneau was in talks with airlines as the announcement was made.

The National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents the country’s largest airlines, said Wednesday it had asked the government for months to introduce a co-ordinated testing regime in consultation with the industry.

The testing requirement will only apply for air travellers, but Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says it should apply at all ports of entry.

He also says in a statement that the government should reimburse thousands of Canadians for travel plans that have been interrupted or cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2020.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press

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