Canada has apparently made some changes to let Canadians enter into the country from South Africa. The change allows them to enter without taking a test in a third nation.
Permanent residents and citizens can take a pre-departure test in South Africa. However, there are some requirements that they need to fulfill before availing this benefit:
- They need to take the pre-departure test from an accredited lab, and that should not be more than 48 hours before the flight. And if the traveler has a positive test result from 14-180 days before departure, which will also work.
- Take a Lufthansa flight from Cape Town or Johannesburg for Frankfurt. The deadline for this is 13th Dec’21.
- Take Lufthansa or Air Canada flight from Frankfurt to Canada.
The amendment was implemented on Saturday evening. This happened because the locals spoke out against the new travel rules that the country had implemented earlier. So many raised voices that it is difficult to come home when there is a test in a third country.
The new rules were implemented amid the rising concern of the Omicron variant. Till now, the country has banned travelers from these countries:
- Nigeria;
- Botswana;
- Egypt;
- Malawi;
- Eswatini;
- Namibia;
- Lesotho;
- Mozambique;
- South Africa; and
- Zimbabwe.
The country has made it mandatory to go into isolation for Canadians coming home from the above-mentioned countries. This is regardless of their vaccination history. Furthermore, they will have to take a test after arrival. The 2nd test will be conducted on the 8th day of their isolation.
Travelers from other countries (except the US) who are fully vaccinated have to take an on-arrival test. They will be quarantined while they wait for their results. If they are found positive, they should be kept in isolation for ten more days.
