Fully vaccinated residents of B.C. have been given an exemption from the pre-arrival COVID-19 PCR test requirements when returning from visits of less than 24 hours to the U.S. via land borders.

The federal government made the announcement yesterday (Dec. 22) acknowledging the impacts of the significant damage and upheaval that was caused by the flooding situation in the province. On Dec. 21 the pre-arrival PCR testing requirement was reinstated by federal authorities. 

“Given the ongoing situation in British Columbia, certain fully vaccinated B.C. residents will not have to take a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test before coming back to Canada,” the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said. 

This refers to residents:

  • who must travel to the U.S. by land to access or purchase goods or services, and
  • who are absent from Canada for no more than 24 hours.

The exemption also applies to unvaccinated children under 12 years of age entering with one of their fully vaccinated parents, step-parents, guardians or tutors and a person with a contraindication to vaccination.

The CBSA emphasized that travellers “should ensure they are only within the U.S. for the required period to access or purchase goods and services and return to Canada as soon as possible, without any unnecessary stops.”

Those attending social visits, events or functions are not exempt from the pre-arrival testing requirement. Travellers are also urged to continue to follow all local, provincial/territorial and public health guidance including masking in public and maintaining social distancing.

All travellers must continue to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN. This can be completed on a smartphone or tablet or alternatively from a desktop computer and printer. 

Supply chain and essential service providers including truck drivers, remain exempted from the pre-entry test, quarantine and in-Canada test, but must continue to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada.

“The Government of Canada understands the significant damage and upheaval that has been caused by the flooding situation in B.C. 

“Should a border services officer determine that the traveller entered the U.S. and does not meet the exemption requirements upon their return to Canada, travellers will be referred to Public Health Agency of Canada officials who will assess next steps and determine the appropriate public health measures the traveller must follow,” the CBSA added.

The federal government had for nearly a month suspended the PCR testing requirement for Canadians making short visits across land borders to the U.S. But due to the evolving Omicron variant situation, the requirement was reinstated as of Dec. 21 with additional requirements. 

Without any of the exemptions, travellers must take a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test before arriving in Canada, regardless of how long they were away and how they arrived.

The pre-entry molecular test must be performed in a country other than Canada within 72 hours of arrival at the land border or within 72 hours of a scheduled flight departure. Antigen tests, or so-called ‘rapid tests’ are not accepted.

Canadians are being advised to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada at this time.