Canadian airports warn of 'chaos' as govt makes COVID-19 test compulsory for all except US arrivals

Canada on Tuesday (November 30) said it will require people arriving internationally by air, except from the United States, to take a COVID-19 test, seeking to halt the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Toronto: Canada`s plan to require novel coronavirus tests for all but US arrivals on international flights risks causing "chaos" and long lines if all passengers are expected to get tested at airports, industry groups said.

The move, announced Tuesday (November 30), comes as the travel season kicks into gear and could stretch airport resources as well as testing holiday-makers` patience, they said.

Daniel Gooch, president of the Canadian Airports Council, said airports cannot test all overseas arrivals on-site without long wait times.