COVID-19 test requirement to get back into Canada cost prohibitive: Tourism advocate

Despite the Canadian-U.S. land border reopening, some tourism industry representatives are still waiting for a change to a COVID-19 testing rule they say is costly and unnecessary.

Despite the Canadian-U.S. land border reopening, some tourism industry representatives are still waiting for a change to a COVID-19 testing rule they say is costly and unnecessary.

The Canadian government currently requires citizens and permanent residents to provide a negative molecular COVID-19 test when coming back to Canada.

It's a rule which has some business experts and tourism advocates upset.

"It's just not needed," said Beth Potter from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. "We know that from the expert advisory panel on testing that was released back in the spring. The PCR test is not needed if you are fully vaccinated."

Potter said a PCR test wouldn't tell border officials anything more than a much cheaper and quicker rapid-antigen test.

According to Potter, the biggest issue with the requirement is the cost to travellers.

She said PCR tests cost around $200 on average but can cost as much as $300 in some states.