ACITA launches petition calling for removal of pre-arrival PCR testing

The Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors (ACITA) has launched a new e-Petition, which is now open for signatures.

After conducting a survey of its members, ACITA learned that more than 65 per cent of travel advisors believe that PCR testing in destination is the single greatest deterrent for consumers to book new travel.  

"Clients are most worried about testing positive in destination and having to quarantine in a foreign country," ACITA said in news released on Tuesday (Feb. 8). 

There is an expanding list of countries which have eliminated the requirement of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results for vaccinated travellers, including but not limited to the United Kingdom., Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Germany and Denmark.

The petition makes other points, including

• independent research conducted in Finland and Italy reveals that pre-departure testing requirements are likely to be ineffective at stopping or even limiting the spread of the Omicron variant (Oxera and Edge Health, 01 Feb 2021);
• More than 80 per cent of Canadians are fully vaccinated;
• All Canadians must be fully vaccinated in order to board an aircraft at a Canadian airport;
• The inbound PCR testing requirement is the single largest barrier to the full recovery of Canada’s international travel industry;
• A growing number of issues are being reported by Canadian travellers in destination, including inaccuracy of tests (false positives), exorbitant price gouging, reports of people obtaining counterfeit tests, and corrupt PCR practices, with some labs contracted by resorts providing falsified results to keep guests for extended stays at their own expense. 

The e-Petition, sponsored by MP Melissa Lantsman, Shadow Minister for Transport, asks the Government of Canada to remove the requirement for travellers to obtain a negative PCR test for re-entry into Canada.  

It will be open for signatures until March 10, 2022, and colleagues in the travel industry are encouraged to sign it and ask their clients to sign it as well.

Petition #e-3835 can be accessed here. 

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