The move could slow down much-needed tourism
Canada is facing pressure from both sides of the to remove COVID-19 test requirements for entrants coming from the US. The calls come after the US officially reopened its land borders with Canada after a 19-month shutdown. Canada is requiring its entrants from the US to show proof of vaccination as well as a negative PCR test taken 72 hours after their departing flight or arrival.
The policy prompted criticism from both sides of the border, as the COVID-19 tests can be pricey and take up to 24 hours before results are revealed. Border-town mayors in Canada said the COVID-19 test requirement could slow down the arrival of tourists from the US. In particular, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said the test requirement is a "hard stop barrier" for families seeking to reunite after the long separation.
"Now there's a pathway to cross, yet that pathway is dampened by an unreasonable and costly requirement for a PCR test to return to Canada," Dilkens said as quoted by CBC News.
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On the other side of the border, US Congressman Brian Higgins also had some harsh criticism for the rules.
"I think it's unnecessary. I think it's costly, inconvenient and unpleasant," he said in an interview with Canadian journalist Carol Off.
He added that the US is reopening its borders to vaccinated Canadians without requiring a COVID-19 test.
"So, I think there's a recognition from our Centres for Disease Control and Prevention that just being smart about this, being fully vaccinated (and) wearing a mask when necessary obviates the need to have a testing requirement," he added as quoted by CBC.
Higgins said they’re working with their Canadian counterparts, members of Parliament, and the Canadian ambassador to the US in order to convince the Canadian government to remove the testing requirement. Meanwhile, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said they’re now reviewing the requirement but did not disclose a timeframe on when the border rules would finish its review, according to CBC in a separate report. According to Tam, the government wants to take a "cautious, phased approach" on the matter.