Ottawa nixing molecular COVID test requirement for Canadians taking short trips abroad: sources

The sources — who spoke on the condition they not be named because they aren’t authorized to speak on the record — said the government is only dropping the testing requirement for Canadians and permanent residents for trips lasting less than 72 hours.

Molecular tests, like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, will still be required for trips longer than 72 hours.

The change is expected to come into effect at the end of the month as cross-border shopping picks up before the holidays.

The news was first reported by La Presse.

The federal government has been facing mounting pressure to drop the rule requiring travellers entering Canada to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border.

People have reported shelling out between $150 and $300 for a test, depending on their point of departure. Many have complained that it can take 24 hours — sometimes longer — for travellers to get their results.

The U.S. government has taken a different approach.

The government is expected to make an official announcement on Friday.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos would only say an announcement is coming “soon.”

Business groups have called for a more streamlined approach to traffic between the two countries.

“The leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico should prioritize removing friction from our mutual borders,” said Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

“Getting rid of unnecessary and outdated travel rules will help Canada’s businesses get back to work – and compete.”

Former foreign affairs minister John Manley said the PCR-type test requirement should be dropped completely.

“The mandatory pre-departure PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers is not rooted in science and should be removed,” he said in a media statement.