Winnipeg travel agents, airport officials eager to see loosened requirements take off
CBC
Winnipeg travel agents say they are thrilled and relieved after the federal government announced the end of a requirement for pre-arrival PCR tests for travellers fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of Feb. 28, travellers will still need to take a pre-arrival test, but can opt for a clinic-administered rapid antigen test before their flight or arrival at their destination, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced Tuesday.
The rapid tests — which can not only provide results in minutes, but are usually far less expensive than PCR tests — will need to be carried out by a laboratory or health-care entity, so home tests won't be allowed.
Even so, "that is a good thing," said Ajay Kumar, owner of My Choice Travel and Tour Inc. in Winnipeg.
"That is a very very big relief … because people were spending 200, 300, 400 dollars on top of just the PCR test."
Many of his customers travel to the Punjab region of India, and the pricey PCR test has been a major barrier, Kumar said.
He was also happy to hear Tuesday that the federal government announced plans to end its recommendation against non-essential travel.
"I'm sure the globe is coming out of this pandemic, slowly but surely," said Kumar.
Currently, travellers entering Canada must show proof of a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border.
As of Feb. 28, some randomly selected travellers will still need a PCR test, but will not have to quarantine while waiting for results. Unvaccinated travellers will continue to be tested on arrival.
Tyler MacAfee, vice-president of communications and government relations at the Winnipeg Airports Authority, said the changes are a "step in the right direction" — particularly the removal of the recommendation against non-essential travel.
"It's a good sign, right as we move into March break. This is one of the busiest times of the year at the airport. It's encouraging that we'll see more people moving and traveling again," he said.
The airport would like to see the rapid test requirement go the way of the PCR, MacAfee added.
"There's still certainly a cost associated with that, which is something we'd like to see removed altogether."
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