Mixed responses to Canadian decision to re-introduce mandatory random COVID-19 testing

The Canadian government have decided to re-introduce mandatory random testing for full vaccinated international air travellers which will resume next week, although it is said that the testing will be moved out of the airports to off-site locations. The testing of fully vaccinated travellers was suspended following sustained delays to passengers at airports.

The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable (“The Roundtable”) has issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s re-establishment of mandatory random testing for air travellers.

“The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable is disappointed with the federal government’s decision to re-introduce mandatory random COVID-19 arrival testing for fully vaccinated travellers, and mandatory 10-day isolation for any person who tests positive. As our industry works with government, agencies and partners to combat wait times and delays, this announcement marks a step backward that unfairly targets Canada’s tourism sector and negatively impacts Canadian and international travellers. Medical experts have been clear; mandatory testing should be replaced by more effective ways to assess community spread, such as community wastewater testing for tracking future variants. The re-imposition of these measures is an unnecessary and unhelpful step backward that continues to put Canada out of alignment with its international partners and singles out air travel as the only consumer activity in the country with stringent health measures.”

The Canadian Airports Council released the following statement on their Twitter account.

Statement regarding the Government of Canada’s reinstatement of mandatory random testing for travellers: pic.twitter.com/7r6eUilHyu

— canadasairports (@canadasairports) July 14, 2022