Canada extends COVID-19 screening requirements for travellers from China, Hong Kong

The federal government is extending COVID-19 screening requirements for most people travelling from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.

The restrictions mean any air traveller over the age of two who lands in Canada on a flight that originated from China, Hong Kong or Macao must have proof of a negative molecular or rapid-antigen COVID-19 test result, no matter their citizenship or vaccination status.

The rule applies even to travellers who are only transiting through Canada on their way to another country.

Those whose flights transfer through China, Hong Kong or Macao and who are in the country for less than 24 hours do not need to take a test.

In a news release on Thursday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said the decision to continue the health measures, including testing prior to boarding and screening upon arrival in Canada, is a "precautionary approach." This comes as China continues to deal with a significant surge of COVID-19 infections, as well as tens of thousands of deaths, since the Chinese government lifted its strict "zero-COVID" policy in December.

"Despite the data provided by China thus far, ongoing gaps in data availability remain a significant concern," PHAC said in the release. "Extending these temporary health measures will provide time for new, reliable data sources to be made available and allow time for expected domestic waves in China to subside."

Canada's travel requirements will remain in place until April 5, but the government said they "will continue to be reassessed as more data and evidence become available."

WATCH | Canada imposes COVID-19 travel requirements for arrivals from China: 

Concerns about health-care impact

PHAC said it's also concerned about what China's reopening could do to Canada's "already burdened" health-care system.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said earlier this week the measures were necessary at the time and that any changes would be based on advice from the government's public health experts.

The move to harden border restrictions for travellers from China drew criticism from some infectious disease experts last month who feared it would do little to stop the global spread of the virus and could worsen anti-Chinese discrimination.

A Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson criticized the change at the time, saying some countries were attempting to manipulate COVID-19 measures for political purposes and it would take countermeasures.

WATCH | What's happening in China as COVID-19 infections rise: 

Measures aimed at area of spread, not individuals

Cynthia Carr, an epidemiologist and founder of EPI Research, said the rampant spread of COVID-19 gives the virus the opportunity to mutate, which can lead to new variants.

"We just know that is an area of opportunity for the virus to get stronger," she said in defence of the test requirements.

She said restrictions are not intended to target individuals based on their ethnicity, country of origin, sexuality or gender, but rather to keep a close eye on an area where there has been a major change in the spread of the disease.

"We have to be very careful about how we balance public health messaging," she said. "We don't want people to feel stigmatized."