New travel rules at Pearson Airport in Mississauga take effect today

Starting today, all Canadians returning from trips abroad via Pearson Airport in Mississauga must once again get a COVID-19 molecular test before arriving on Canadian soil.

The requirement, announced last Friday by Ottawa in the midst of a dramatic surge in cases brought about by the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant, applies to all who travel by air out of the country, regardless of how long they’ve been away.

In delivering the announcement from Ottawa, federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos rolled back an exemption put in place last month that allowed fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents who took trips abroad of less than 72 hours to return without having to show a negative test.

LIVE: Federal update on COVID-19 and measures to address Omicron variant https://t.co/PIhZky1zyR

— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) December 17, 2021

Duclos said the “pre-arrival tests will need to be taken in a country other than Canada” as travellers make their plans to return home.

He urged Canadians to be patient in the face of additional restrictions, saying “We must all do our part.”

Ottawa is still advising Canadians, regardless of vaccination status, to avoid any non-essential air travel outside the country.

Given the unpredictable global #Covid19 situation, the Government of Canada advises that Canadians, regardless of their vaccination status, avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada. Learn more: https://t.co/TSJkH31anG pic.twitter.com/JPV1J9nokW

— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) December 15, 2021