Latest update: January 5, 2023

Canada now requires COVID-19 test for travel from China, Hong Kong, and Macao

January 5, 2023: Canada now requires negative COVID-19 test for travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao

As of January 5, 2023, all air travellers who are two years of age and older and arrive in Canada on flights originating from China, Hong Kong, or Macao, will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result. The test must be taken no more than two days before their departure.

Acceptable tests include a negative molecular test (such as a PCR test) or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited lab or testing provider.

If an individual tested positive for COVID-19 more than 10 days prior to their departure flight—but no more than 90 days prior—they can provide the airline with documentation of the prior positive result in place of a negative test result.

The COVID-19 test is required for all passengers on flights originating in China, Hong Kong, and Macao, regardless of nationality and vaccination status. These are temporary measures in place for at least 30 days and will be reassessed as the situation evolves and more data becomes available.

No special COVID-19 travel measures are in place for other countries

Aside from the COVID-19 testing requirement for flights originating in China, Hong Kong, and Macao, Canada does not have any special COVID-19 travel measures in place. The Canadian government ended all COVID-19 border and travel measures on October 1, 2022. All travellers, except for those on flights originating in China, Hong Kong, and Macao, no longer have to:

  • provide proof of vaccination — this means unvaccinated travellers can enter Canada;
  • submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app;
  • undergo pre-arrival or on-arrival COVID-19 testing;
  • carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
  • undergo health checks for travel on air and rail;
  • wear masks on planes and trains; or
  • monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.

The Government of Canada decided to end COVID-19 border measures based on a number of factors, including modelling that indicates Canada has passed the peaks of the Omicron waves, Canada’s high rates of vaccination, lower hospitalization and death rates, availability of booster shots, rapid tests, and treatments for COVID-19.

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