Details en route for COVID-19 testing and travel

Transport Minister Marc Garneau is expected to unveil more details today on COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers returning to Canada.

Garneau announced last week that air travellers coming from abroad will have to show proof of negative test results, starting this Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

.@Transport_GC Notice: Ministers Garneau, Champagne and Blair to hold a news conference regarding the #COVID19 pre-departure testing requirements https://t.co/RcGqtn6gYn

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) January 6, 2021

He said the PCR test — distinct from a rapid test, and taking up to several days to process — must occur less than 72 hours before takeoff.

Airlines and passengers say the plan leaves a swirl of unanswered questions and threatens to leave travellers stranded overseas.

Carriers say they were not consulted on the testing scheme, which they will be responsible for enforcing at check-in counters around the globe.

Garneau said last week that passengers returning from countries where tests are unavailable would be required to quarantine at a "federal facility" for two weeks, while those with test results in hand would still have to quarantine for two weeks at home.