Starting on Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians taking short trips abroad will no longer need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return home, Ottawa confirmed at a news conference Friday. 

The federal government said the test exemption will apply to fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours. The rule will also apply to unvaccinated people with a right of entry if they are under the age of 12 and accompanied by their fully vaccinated parents or have certain medical conditions preventing them from being vaccinated.

For now, Canadians returning from longer trips and all foreign travellers entering Canada will still have to show proof of a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border. 

The government said travellers taking shorter trips carry less risk. "If a Canadian wanted to go across for a quick shopping trip in the U.S., maybe get some cheap gas or whatever … the actual risk for themselves, as well as obviously when they come back to Canada, is pretty minimal," said Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said that at this time, Canada isn't extending the test exemption to American travellers taking short trips for logistical reasons. She said Canada can track the amount of time Canadians spend abroad, but can't do the same for Americans.

'If an American traveller comes into Canada, I believe they have a right to stay for six months, for example," she said, noting there is no way to know how long they would actually stay within that timeframe.

However, the government said it will review entry requirements for American travellers at a later date. 

"We're taking a phased approach to the easing of border measures," said Tam.

To see the original report and related stories, follow this link to the CBC Thunder Bay website. https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-pcr-test-travel-1.6252544