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By Canadian Press

Canada reinstates PCR test for all travellers, lifts ban on African countries

Dec 17, 2021 | 10:25 AM

OTTAWA – Canada is bringing back a requirement for all travellers entering the country to have a pre-arrival negative molecular test result, even if they are returning after being away for under 72 hours.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says that requirement will return as of Tuesday, which is only about a month since Canada waived the need for a test for those taking short cross-border trips.

Duclos says those pre-arrival tests must be taken outside of Canada, which is a new rule.

Canada is also removing a ban on all travellers who have recently passed through 10 African countries, a measure the federal government brought in late last month in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Duclos says this measure has served its purpose and is no longer necessary, and it will be lifted Saturday as of 11:59 p.m.

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The new measures come as chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warns that the Omicron variant could overwhelm the health-care system in a “short amount of time” and is urging Canadians to adjust their holiday plans.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2021.

The Canadian Press