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Canada reinstates border COVID-19 testing requirement for short trips as omicron spreads

Canada announced it is reinstating its COVID-19 testing requirement for trips less than 72 hours starting Tuesday, just days before Christmas holiday travel.

Previously, fully vaccinated Canadians were allowed to depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours without a pre-entry test.

However, as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads, Canadian officials announced Friday that all travelers would need a negative PCR test to re-enter. The test must be taken in a country other than Canada, according to the government's website.

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Travelers are still required to fill out the ArriveCAN form, which requires them to confirm which port of entry they’re using, upload vaccination status and submit their COVID-19 test result. The form is available through a mobile app and online.

Unvaccinated travelers returning to Canada also are still required to quarantine for 14 days.

Contact Minnah Arshad: MArshad@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @minnaharshad.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Canada requires COVID-19 test for all travelers as omicron spreads