tracon

This appears to be only for BC residents?

fully vaccinated B.C. residents who must travel to the U.S. by land to access or purchase goods/services - groceries, fuel and medications - and who are away for less than 24 hrs, don’t have to take a pre-entry #COVID19 molecular test.

EmailKid

Interesting ...... now if they could see to open it up to ferry service as well

fnandopartridge

Hi, first time posting on FT; this thread was incredibly useful in preparing for my trip to Canada so I thought it would be useful to others to document my own experience on Wednesday (22nd).

For background, I am a UK citizen and my wife (who also has a British passport) is from Canada. We flew MAN-AMS-YYC.

Even arriving at MAN for 3am (3 hours ahead of flight) the terminal was chaos; we were helped by travelling business so we utilised the SkyPriority line at check in to avoid what would have been a significant wait. Security was also busy with only 1 security lane open (apparently numerous staff members were off sick presumably with Omicron).

Upon departure from MAN we were asked to show proof of vaccination, Dutch health declaration and our negative PCR tests. That was followed at AMS by a 'health screening' step at a completely separate gate (which we found by accident) where PCR test result was checked again and we had to show our ArriveCAN receipt. Once that was done a stamp was applied to the back of our boarding passes which was checked at the gate before we were allowed to board.

The process at YYC was actually relatively simple as we weren't sure what to expect. Making a break for it off the plane we managed to make it to the border in good time and with a relatively short queue (an AC flight from LHR had arrived shortly before us).

After submitting our details at the machines we then found ourselves in front of a border officer who only asked to see the receipt that had been spit out by the automated terminal, and our passports. We were asked the usual questions, with the last one being if I had any residence status in Canada (I don't - we live in the UK). After replying in the negative my face was circled in red marker on the computer printout, which I presumed meant I was to be randomly tested. There was no stickers on passports or anything like that which we had expected.

After collecting luggage we were directed to a further checkpoint where the printed receipt from the terminal was checked again, I was directed right and my wife was directed left - both queues led into arrivals where I was now in the queue to be tested whereas my wife was left to her own devices. We were only divided by a temporary barrier but a strategically positioned border officer was keeping watch to ensure no-one cut out of the line and made a break for freedom.

Testing was relatively simple; the line took about 15 minutes and I was prompted numerous times to register for Switch Health (which I had done prior to leaving the UK. Upon receiving my kit I headed down to the bottom of the arrivals area for testing before I could go on my way.

I was given a double-sided document which outlined the rules for quarantine etc and stated I had to quarantine until I received a negative result. My wife also received a document, but a different version without the requirement to quarantine, but instead only to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

I checked the Switch Health portal about 2 hours later and my test was already registered with status 'processing specimen'. Although advised by Switch Health staff of a 48-72 hour turnaround, I received my negative result the next day - a relatively impressive 21 hours after the test was taken.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope that given the current restrictions everyone's travel goes ahead as stress-free as possible (not easy at present!)

Robyyz

Curious: what if you show up at the land border with a positive PCR test result? Presume they have to let you in but just i) judge if your quarantine plan is appropriate and ii) direct you straight to quarantine? Anyone have any thoughts? Just thinking through potential scenarios - thankfully no Covid at the moment.

EmailKid

Um, isn't that the case for Hotel quarantine (at your expense)?

miuk

Here’s my experience arriving at YVR coming in from Orange County, California today the 24th.
upon reaching the immigration desks, the usual border entry formalities. Not once asked for PCR test nor the ArriveCAN QR code (likely already tied to my passport number). Was told to go to lane 1, which means no test. After the border checkpoint proceeded past 2 checkpoints, both asked to look at the back of my passport to confirm no stickers on it, was then allowed to proceed freely.

sydneyracquelle

Um, there are no hotels at many/most of the land border crossings.

TheCanuckian

We got tested on Wednesday when entering via YUL. Test results were returned roughly 60 hours later.

airoli

Coming from Europe, arrived at YUL on Wednesday (22nd) as well. Arrival hall was so full that they didn't even let passengers go down the stairs to enter it. Fortunately, Nexus allowed to bypass all that. It looked like there was no more "random" selection, everybody had to get tested. I saw lots of at-home test boxes being given out to connecting pax. Because I terminated in YUL, I was tested on site after baggage claim. Results arrived 50h later. Not impressed.

Robyyz

Answer from CBSA: they can't refuse entry to a Canadian citizen but then public health will fine you $6K. So similar to arriving with no test at all.

escape4

Unacceptable. I would have been very pi$$ed.

FlyerGoldII

Anyone got tested recently on arrival at YYZ? what is the turn around time?

My wife had a random arrival test at YYZ yesterday- at 9:00 pm or so. When should she expect her result back from Switch Health.

Amber2413

So,arrived today LHR to YYZ. Flight was pretty good… with a highlight of having the police come onboard as soon as we landed. Some idiot had refused to wear his mask and was ‘escorted’ off the plane. Customs and the border control were really quick which was a surprise. I guess with staffing issues they could only ave a few baggage carousels running, so two flights worth of bags were trying to go round one carousel. It did not go well. But then out to the switch test ( inevitable for use coming from the U.K.)
Tested at 2pm ish today…. Will update when we get results.
I am very sceptical about how much ‘self isolation’ is being done with the number of people arriving in the hotel from the airport who seem to be completely oblivious to even simple social distancing. Considering this is the first time in over 2 years we have been anywhere near a city, it’s a bit of a shock to the system to see so many people!
I still don’t understand why it is taking sooooo long to get results? Or is it just they are trying to dissuade travellers from coming? And how come no one is trying to cash in on it to give travellers the option for a more rapid release for xx amount of money?

FlyerGoldII

My wife just got the result. So I would say between 25 and 26 hours.

EmailKid

Sorry, I was thinking airport arrivals, as they appear to be more common in this thread.