Covid test on return from China: Canada’s airlines unhappy

Canada’s major airlines are expressing their displeasure after returning passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau are required to test negative for COVID-19, which they say is “useless.”

• Read more: Which countries impose anti-covid regulations on travelers from China?

• Read more: Covid-19: Twenty cases of the XXB.1.5 variant have been confirmed in Canada

“The administrative burden of processing and enforcing pre-departure checks falls primarily on airlines, and clearly adds to airport backlogs. This includes delays in processing passengers and flight crew at customs kiosks,” said Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), in an email.

“Combined with the current resource challenges at airports and the frequent resumption of travel, this new policy will increase congestion without providing any significant public health benefit,” Morrison added.

The CNLA based its report on the results of a study published in September conducted by four Canadian doctors, including microbiologist Karl Weiss of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, which concluded that border measures are ineffective in preventing infectious diseases like COVID-19. , especially after mass vaccination.

Note that the study was commissioned by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

CNLA, which represents Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation and WestJet, has confirmed that all of its members will continue to be reluctant to use the measures imposed by Ottawa.

The policy, announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on New Year’s Day, takes effect on Thursday. The test must be taken within 48 hours of arrival in Canada.

Canada is not alone: ​​the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, India and even the island of Taiwan have imposed similar or similar measures.

However, Morocco is the most advanced country by banning entry to travelers from China “regardless of their nationality”.

The decision drew the ire of China, which threatened participating countries with retaliation. The world’s most populous country is grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases after high restrictions were lifted and its “zero COVID” policy ended on December 7.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents many of the world’s biggest airlines, has criticized the decision by countries to withdraw border checks.

Air Canada called for its own position, referring our questions to the CNLA.