Originally Posted by dirkhotel

We recently travelled by car from Toronto to upstate NY to celebrate New Years with friends. As we would be staying where access to PCR tests is limited, before departing we purchased two RT-LAMP test kits from Switch Health, which are marketed as “approved for re-entry into Canada.” 3 days before our return, the process of completing the tests was straightforward and we had our results in hand within 30 mins.

Upon crossing the border on Jan 3, however, the Canada Border Services Agency officer said “these tests are not valid – you’re required to have tests conducted in the United States.” Of course, we had conducted the tests in the U.S., which he deduced from the date on the results. We explained that we had purchased the test prior to leaving Canada and conducted the test in New York via video teleconference with a Switch Health nurse. No dice. He waived us to the secondary inspection area and said that a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) representative would review our case.

While we waited in the car, two CBSA agents took the test results and our passports inside to review with PHAC while we waited. When they returned, again… no dice. They told us that our choices were now: 1) return to the U.S., secure a new PCR test, and re-enter Canada or 2) continue into Canada, which would be “a violation of the Quarantine Act, potentially subject to a fine of up to $5000 and/or quarantine in a designated facility.”

Trying not to panic, we asked if we could speak to the PHAC representative, as we had purchased the tests in good faith, relying on Air Canada marketing materials. Eventually, a PHAC agent in full PPE approached the car. From a distance of 8 feet, he explained that the RT-LAMP test kits were causing a lot of confusion, noted that there was a disagreement among his colleagues about how to process cases like ours, urged us on future trips to secure a lab-based PCR, and… let us cross into Canada, this one time only.

Needless-to-say, we were relieved, but what a nightmare!