Prioritizing the health and safety of everyone in Canada, on July 19, 2021 (at 16:22 ET) the Government of Canada (GOC) extend the suspension of direct flights from India until August 21, 2021. During this period, passengers can travel to Canada from India via an indirect route, but in this case, need to present a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.
Passengers planning to travel are requested to carefully consider itinerary, transit options, and entry requirements for third countries, as:
• Some countries do not allow entry or transit for passengers who have previously tested positive to COVID-19, or for passengers arriving from India.
• Some countries or international airports do not avail COVID-19 testing for passengers in transit.
• If the passenger is tested positive during transit, he may be quarantined or sent back to the point of departure.
The list of acceptable molecular tests are:
• PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
• Isothermal amplification
• Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
• Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
• RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
• Ct (cycle threshold)
• CRISPR
• Sequencing
• Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole-genome sequencing (WGS)
• Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
• Detection of the N gene
• Detection of Orf1a/b
• Detection of the S gene
• Detection of the E gene
• Detection of the RdRp gene
On the other hand, starting August 9, 2021, those who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel, and are currently residing in the U.S. are allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel.
Currently, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result, but as per the new border testing surveillance program effective from August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test.
The GOC is also planning to open Canada’s borders to any fully vaccinated travelers from September 7, 2021, who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.