published on 10 January 2023 @ 1:15 pm · COMMENT

Negative COVID-19 tests required for travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao

Following an abrupt increase in COVID-19 cases in the People’s Republic of China and surrounding regions and given the limited available data on this new variant of the virus, the Government of Canada has put in place temporary public health restrictions on air travel from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

As of January 5, 2023, in order to board a flight to Canada, all air travellers over two years of age arriving on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao, must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than two days before their departure. This test can be a molecular test (e.g., PCR test) or antigen test administered by an accredited laboratory. Alternatively, a positive COVID-19 test result for a test taken from 10 to 90 days before the departure date can be provided. These restrictions apply to air travellers regardless of nationality and vaccination status.

These new restrictions have been put in place for at least 30 days and will be reassessed as more data about the emerging variant becomes available. They are in line with similar travel restrictions on travellers from these regions put in place by many other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

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