Good news for our friends from Canada who’ve wanted to come to Abaco, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting a COVID-19 PCR test to return home.
Last week, Canada’s Public Health Agency announced that, effective February 28, a PCR test will no longer be required to enter Canada.
Instead, for fully vaccinated travellers, a rapid antigen test — which is generally less expensive and much quicker — will suffice.
As of February 28, if you’re fully vaccinated, you can choose between:
- Having a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken the day prior to your scheduled flight or arrival by land or sea, OR
- Taking a molecular test no more than 72 hours before your scheduled flight or arrival.
Unvaccinated Canadians returning home will continue to be required to test on arrival and on Day 9, and to quarantine for 14 days. With few exceptions, unvaccinated foreign nationals are not permitted to enter Canada.
It’s important to note that basic home rapid antigen tests are not acceptable to meet the pre-entry requirement.
Per the Public Health Agency’s announcement, “Only rapid antigen tests that are authorized by the country where they were purchased and administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service will be acceptable.”
