COVID-19 test requirement to re-enter Canada draws frustration as U.S. land border reopens
CBC
Canadians can now travel into the United States for non-essential reasons using land border crossings, but are required to take a COVID-19 test in order to return, which can cost up to $330 at some pharmacies.
Canadians are able to use a negative COVID-19 test result received up to 72 hours prior to the expected re-entry into this country.
Doug Ritchie of Tilbury, Ont., just outside of Windsor, said he plans on crossing Monday to pick up boat and car parts he ordered online and shipped to a U.S. address. The items have been sitting there for a year-and-a-half because the borders have been closed up until this point.
Ritchie said he doesn't agree with the testing requirement to get back into Canada.
"I thought it's one of the stupidest things I've heard the government doing," said Ritchie.
In preparation for his trip the day the land border crossing fully re-opens, he went to a pharmacy in Chatham-Kent on Friday for a PCR test, which came back negative. It cost Ritchie $330.
"It's just totally ridiculous," he said. "I could go over there, get infected with COVID, come back here and present my test that I had on Friday and waltz right into Canada. To me that's just stupid."
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires anyone coming into the country to "take a COVID-19 molecular test up to 72 hours before you arrive."
"Antigen tests, often called rapid tests, are not accepted," the CBSA said.
Those aged 18 and older also need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to cross the border. Younger travellers are exempt from the requirement.
U.S. border officers won't require a negative COVID-19 test for anyone entering, but will ask travellers in the vehicle about their vaccination status. Proof will only be required upon request.
Many pharmacies don't offer the required PCR test, including some Shoppers Drug Marts and Rexall pharmacies contacted by CBC News.
"It's confusing and it seems that it may not be the most accurate way to determine whether or not someone is truly at risk," said Dr. Stephen Bartol, referencing Canada's requirement for a PCR test to enter the country.
Bartol said a rapid antigen test is a better option in many ways. It's something people can easily do themselves, much less expensive and tells the person whether they're infectious or contagious at that moment. He said it's about 98 per cent accurate.