OTTAWA, Canada – Canada will soon end the requirement for its citizens to have a negative PCR COVID test before returning home.
The CBC reports Ottawa will drop the requirement March 1st as omicron cases continue to decline.
Canadians will instead be able to take a cheaper rapid antigen test before arriving by air or land border.
Unvaccinated children will no longer have to stay away from schools or daycares for 14 days after arriving home.
Random PCR tests of travelers will still be done at the border, but those tested won’t have to quarantine while they await results.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Zain Chagla says too much emphasis on the borders isn’t productive at this point.
“A smart way of reprioritizing that technology may be able to detect what’s happening locally and not necessarily impede travelers coming in,” said Chagla.
Easier travel across the border is expected to give a boost to the economy in Whatcom County and northwest Washington.