The federal government is expected to announce today it will soon end the mandatory randomized arrival testing for incoming travellers at Canada's airports, CBC News has learned.
As of Saturday, June 11, only unvaccinated travellers will be required to take a test upon entry into Canada, said a source with knowledge of the policy who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Up to now, fully vaccinated travellers were being subjected to random COVID-19 testing upon arrival.
The change is being called a "pause", with the suspension lasting from Saturday and June 30. The government could still bring it back.
Critics, including a number of public health experts, have called the policy a bureaucratic burden that was adding to already lengthy delays at airports, which are grappling with clogged customs facilities.
The government is also expected to announce that arrival testing for unvaccinated travellers will be moved off-site. This change will mean airports can dismantle dedicated testing sites that have taken up space in the customs halls.
