Originally Posted by bcnfish

If you get delayed and will arrive at the border with an expired PCR test (+72 hours) don't bother trying!

Here's my story trying to cross at Rainbow Bridge after flying into BUF.

Due to travel delays and a 1 hour lineup on the bridge, by the time we got to the agent our PCR test had expired by a few hours. The first agent was extremely rude, and went through 10 minutes of questioning with us before even getting to the PCR test. After seeing our expired test we were handed off to another agent who said we are NOT being denied entry into Canada, but if we enter we will be escorted directly to the public health agent and police who will issue us a $3800 fine per person for not complying with the COVID act requirements. She gave us the option of entering with the fine or returning to the US and getting a new test.

The lineup on the bridge behind us was filled with people in the same boat. She told us she had already turned back over 100 people that day for expired tests and that the public health team will not make any exceptions. Either you are compliant with the COVID requirements (one of those being a valid test within 72 hours) or not. Black and white, no leeway. Crossing back to the American side we met someone who took his PCR test 2 days before but didn't get the results in time and was denied. Lesson: If I ever have to cross again it's clearly worth doing it somewhere that can guarantee 24h results, as opposed to 2-3 days and risking either expiry or not receiving results in time.

Unlike the initial agent, the second agent was kind and told us of where we could get a test done with results within the hour. We took her up on that and tried the walkup test site but but unfortunately it was closed early for Memorial day. When we got to a hotel and showed our passport, the first thing the receptionist asked was "here because you need to do another COVID test?". Apparently they have been getting a ton of cases like this. Our Uber driver also confirmed that he's been driving many Canadians to redo testing.

Certainly not a great experience. Especially for people that have long been double vaccinated, presented a negative test, and clearly pose no health threat. Not even gonna get started on the quarantine.