Planning a U.S. day trip when the land border reopens on Monday? Officials say plan ahead
The land border to the U.S. reopens to Canadians in just a few days to fully vaccinated travellers, and returning tourists need a PCR test to come home.
Pharmacists and border agents say if you’re thinking of a quick day trip, be prepared.
Pharmacist Manoj Gajera at Med + Pharmacy in Kingston, Ont. says their appointments are booked up ahead of Monday’s border reopening.
"There’s a lot of excitement for sure," says Gajera.
Currently anyone crossing back into Canada needs to provide a recent COVID-19 test. The federal policy is intended to reduce transmission, but has faced criticism due to its cost, which can sit between $150-$300.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam says the government is reviewing that decision.
"Just to reassure everybody that we are looking at that quite carefully," Tam said Friday. "We will be examining the epidemiological factors between Canada and the United States."
For now, if you are thinking of going shopping, or visiting family for a quick day trip, you have to get it done at a pharmacy in Canada, up to 72 hours in advance.
For example, Gajera says that means if you’re planning on coming across the border back into Canada at 4 p.m. on Monday, you have to take the test sometime after 4 p.m. on Friday.
"The time of the testing, or the swabbing of the test, that’s when your 72 hours start clicking," he says.
Tests are done by appointment, and only can be done at certain pharmacies, and he says, results will take time to come back.
"The labs, most times say it can take 24 to 48 hours but they’re quite efficient," he says.
Valerie Chevrier, a superintendent at Canada Border Services Agency in Prescott, Ont., says officials expect there to be a spike in traffic over the next few days.
"We hope, and we’re asking people to just have patience with us because again it’s new," she says of the process.
Chevrier says travellers should have proof they’ve been fully vaccinated at least 14 days, their COVID-19 PCR test, and to fill out the ArriveCan App.
Chevrier says travellers should also come with patience.
"We’re going to be doing what we can to make this as smooth as possible for everyone."
Some locations where you can get a PCR test for international travel in Eastern Ontario include:
Ottawa
Riverside Travel Medicine Clinic
- 411-1919 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
- 613-733-5553
- www.travelclinic.org
Appletree Medical Centres
- 2150 Robertson Road, Ottawa
- 356 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa
- 1595 Merivale Road, Ottawa
- 2573 Baseline Road, Ottawa
- 150 Katimavik Road, Ottawa
- 225 Preston Street, Ottawa
- Visit Appletree Medical Group to book online
Immigration Physician Ottawa
- 1935 Bank Street, Ottawa
- 4289 Innes Road, Orleans
- www.pcrtraveltestontario.com
Shoppers Drug Mart
- Check online for locations
Lacroix Medical Clinic
- 232 Boulevard Saint Joseph, Gatineau, Québec
- 819-778-1330
Kingston
Med + Pharmacy
- 277 Bath Road, Kingston, Ont.
Shoppers Drug Mart
- 1201 Division St., Kingston, Ont.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.