Canada to require air travellers — except from U.S. — to be tested at airport

With a new COVID-19 variant starting to spread across the globe, Canada is tightening things up.

During a media conference Tuesday, officials from the federal government announced all air travellers entering the country — except those coming from the United States — will have to be tested for COVID upon arrival at an airport.

They’ll also have to self-isolate until their get the results of that test, even if they’re fully vaccinated.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the government will consult with provinces Tuesday evening before bringing in similar measures for travellers coming from the U.S.

The move is a response to the new Omicron variant, which recently was detected in southern Africa.

Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, said Tuesday that 40 residents of this province are in quarantine after travelling through southern Africa.

Alberta reported its first case of the new variant on Tuesday. Other cases were detected previously in Ontario and Quebec.

On Friday, the federal government banned visitors who travelled through seven African countries. On Tuesday, three more African countries — Egypt, Malawi and Nigeria — were added to the ban.

Canadians and permanent residents who recently travelled through those 10 nations will have to quarantine.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said during the media conference that COVID measures could change at any moment, which could affect travellers who plan to leave Canada.

— With files from The Canadian Press