20/02/2021
February 24, 2021
PAL Travel Advisory 145
CANADA IMPLEMENTS PRE-ARRIVAL AND POST-ARRIVAL TESTING AND QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
In compliance with the latest travel and health protocols of the government of Canada, all passengers aged five or older, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and persons registered as Indian Citizens under the Indian Act traveling to Canada must present proof of: 1) a negative molecular covid-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to their initial scheduled time of departure, or 2) a written or electronic documentation of a prior COVID positive test conducted between 14 to 90 days before the initial scheduled time of departure.
The covid-19 test may either be a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or reverse loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) test. Proof of test must include: traveler’s name and date of birth; name and address of the laboratory that administered the test; date the specimen was collected; test method used; and test result.
On the day of their flight, passengers must present all required documents at the check-in counter. Philippine Airlines shall verify and confirm the negative test result or proof of prior covid-positive test before allowing passengers to board the aircraft. Failure to comply with this requirement may result to non-acceptance to take the flight. Failure of Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents to comply with this requirement may also result in a $3,000 fine or criminal prosecution.
UPON ARRIVAL IN CANADA:
Effective February 22, 2021, passengers shall also be required to: 1) take a covid19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport; 2) proceed to a government-approved hotel for quarantine where they shall await the results of testing (Prior to departure for Canada, a traveler must reserve a 3-night stay in a government-approved hotel); and 3) take another covid-19 test toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period (10th day).
Passengers may visit Canada’s government website ( https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice/mandatory-hotel-stay-air-travellers/list-government-authorized-hotels-booking.html ) for additional guidance and information on government-approved accommodations or hotel reservations.
Philippine Airlines shall ask to present a proof of hotel-booking at the check-in counter. This is to check and ensure that those without pre-booked hotels are assisted when they arrive in Canada.
Passengers who provide a proof of positive test result taken between 14-90 days before departure to Canada in lieu of a negative test will be exempt from testing upon arrival and during quarantine. They are also exempt from the mandatory 3-night stay at a government-approved accommodation but must still quarantine for 14 days at a suitable place of quarantine.
Unaccompanied minors (below 19 years of age) and young persons are exempt from the requirement to stay at a government-approved hotel but must still quarantine for 14 days at a suitable quarantine location.
Passengers must digitally submit their travel and contact information, proof of reservation, and quarantine plan (unless exempt), and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment before their flight using ArriveCAN (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html) . All travelers arriving to Canada must also continue to submit covid-19 related information daily throughout the quarantine period.
These new regulations also cover travelers with connecting flights.
Any passenger who refuses to take a covid19 test upon arrival may be subject to a fine of up to $3,000. Violations of mandatory isolation or mandatory quarantine requirements or the Canadian Quarantine Act may lead to up to six months in prison and/or up to $750,000 in fines.
Willful or reckless violation of the Quarantine Act and Canadian regulations that results to a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person, including submission of false information regarding an individual’s quarantine plan, are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000,000 or up to three years imprisonment or both.
These new measures are in addition to existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for air travelers. Passengers are advised to retain electronic or written copy of test result for potential review by the Canadian public health officials.
For more information on travel rules and regulations of foreign governments and Philippine local government units, passengers may visit https://bit.ly/PALTravelsFromPH and https://bit.ly/PALTravelsWithinPH.
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Note: For covid-19 testing before their flights, PAL passengers may avail of the services of the airline's own testing centers located at the PAL Learning Center (PLC) in Padre Faura, Manila and PAL Gate 3, Andrews Avenue, Pasay City. RT-PCR testing is at PHP 3,300 with results released in 24 hours. To carry out online pre-payment for tests, passengers will have to register on the Passenger Profile and Health Declaration form at the PPHD site by clicking the appropriate link - https://bit.ly/PALIntPPHD. They will receive a confirmation email, which has a link to the pre-payment portal. They must click on the link of the test they wish to pay for, and they will be directed to the booking and payment portal of Guide to the Philippines. They will have to select the date they wish to be tested and input payment details. Once payment is successful, they will receive confirmation via e-mail. Passengers must present this together with their ID, PAL ticket, and QR code upon entry at the PAL testing facility.
