Mayors of border towns call for an end to Canada’s COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers

But mayors in border towns have said they are not celebrating fully yet, because one big hurdle for travelers remains: When they enter Canada, they have to pass a molecular test – like a PCR test – which can cost hundreds. of dollars.

“Now there is a lane to cross, but that lane is held back by an unreasonable and costly requirement for a PCR test to return to Canada,” said Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ont., Which borders Detroit.

“This PCR test requirement is a difficult barrier for families to reunite except for wealthier Canadians, and it’s unfair.”

Cost of test will hamper tourism, group says

At the press conference, Dilkens was accompanied by the mayors of Niagara Falls, Ont., Niagara Falls, NY and Sarnia, Ont., As well as US Congressman Brian Higgins and a representative from the Hotel Association of the Canada.

They argued that even though the US land border is now open, the cost of testing demanded by Canada will continue to hamper the return of tourism to both sides of the border.

“When you tell a family that it’s going to cost you an extra $ 1,000 to visit us and that you won’t have food left or a nicer place to stay, they choose not to [come]Said Mayor Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls, Ont.

When entering Canada, regardless of the length of their trip, travelers must take a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test – such as a PCR test – which can cost between $ 150 and $ 300. Sometimes travelers can get free or discounted tests, but they are not available in all parts of the United States and may not provide results within the allotted time.

To help alleviate logistical challenges for Canadians on short trips, Canada now allows people entering the United States to take their test in Canada and then use it on their return, as long as it is older than 72 hours.

But this arrangement does not solve the cost problem, and Dilkens argues that the 72-hour window defeats the purpose of the testing requirement. That’s because, he said, a Canadian could take their test in Canada, be exposed to COVID-19 in the United States, and then go home without another test.

“The current system would allow someone to take a PCR test in Canada, to cross into Detroit to encourage the [Detroit Lions football team] with 65,000 other fans in the stadium and then return to Canada using the test they took before leaving, ”he said.

“How is this test helpful to someone?

Travelers stay at home

Canada’s testing requirement first sparked complaints this month when the United States announced it would reopen its land border to fully vaccinated travelers on November 8 and not require them to take a COVID test -19 before arrival.

While many Canadians plan to go to the United States now that the land border is open, others say they will stay put until the testing requirement is dropped.

“It’s like a big wall has been erected there and I’m just not able to climb it”, said Ted Hilton of Ingersoll, Ont. He longs to drive to Portage, Michigan to visit his family, but says he can’t afford the potential cost of the test to get back to Canada.

“I’m 80 years old, living on retirement income, and it’s just not there in the budget.”

Before the pandemic, John Roberts and his wife, Linda, took day trips from their Toronto home to the United States about four times a year.

The couple had planned to travel to Niagara Falls, NY on Saturday for shopping, but canceled their trip after realizing they would have to take a COVID-19 test to return to Canada.

“You have to pay around $ 150 each for a six hour trip,” Roberts said. “The extra cost of the trip doesn’t make sense. It’s going to stop people [from] to cross.”

He said the couple also pulled out of the trip because his wife found the PCR tests uncomfortable.

“The tampon in her nose, she hates it.”

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Canada revises test requirements

At a press conference on Friday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr Theresa Tam said the government was reviewing testing requirements.

“I think all of this needs to be reviewed as we do with all border measures,” she said. “We wanted to take a cautious and gradual approach.”

Tam has offered no time frame for when the government will complete its review of its border rules.

Some medical experts say the Canadian government should consider replacing its molecular testing requirement with a more convenient and less expensive antigen test. These types of tests are generally less reliable, but can be done shortly before a traveler enters Canada.

“Doing an antigen test at the airport is probably even more accurate than a PCR test from 72 hours ago, because you are detecting people who are infectious at that point when they enter Canada,” said the doctor. Zain Chagla, infectious disease physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton.