January 4 - Canada’s airlines are providing new information to help passengers secure PCR tests for COVID-19 in the wake of the federal government’s new requirement, effective January 7, that all passengers arriving in or returning to Canada must present proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their scheduled departure.

 

The new rule applies to all passengers ages 5 and up and results must be shown to airline representatives before boarding the flight.

 

Airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Transat have all posted updates to their websites with the new requirement, as well as resources to help passengers get their PCR tests done.

 

Here’s a list of info pages:

For Air Canada, click here
For WestJet, click here
For Sunwing, click here
For Transat, click here

 

As the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) pointed out in the wake of Ottawa’s December 30 announcement, Canada’s airlines have been calling on the government for months to introduce a coordinated and systematic testing regime, in conjunction with industry, “in order to avoid a rushed and disjointed rollout of testing requirements,” said NACC President and CEO Mike McNaney.

 

McNaney added that the December 30 announcement “occurred without prior coordination with industry, and with many major operational and communication details still to be determined.”

 

Late in the afternoon on December 31, the federal government announced that the new rule would take effect January 7, and that the 14-day quarantine would remain in place.

 

WestJet spokesperson Lauren Stewart said that in addition to building out the new webpage with the requirements, WestJet has also sent an email to all passengers with near-term itineraries to ensure they are aware of requirements. “We still have little detail so are doing our best to ensure our guests are aware and armed with as much information as we have at this time,” said Stewart.

 

Sunwing also issued a statement: “Our customers are extremely important for Sunwing. That’s why we strive to provide consistent, regular updates on the new testing requirements that are being mandated by the Canadian government, all in an effort to be transparent and ensure their experience is as frictionless as possible. We also rely on our Sunwing representatives in destination to offer firsthand support to customers – in person and via the Sunwing app – to address any questions or concerns they may have about the evolving travel and testing requirements. This includes helping customers find a PCR testing facility, along with arranging transportation to and from the facility, should it be required. While we will continue to update our customers as we receive further updates from the government, we also encourage travellers to visit travel.gc.ca for more information on the new testing requirements.”

 

 

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