By ABAT Toronto
Below are new mandatory requirements for persons entering Canada. Since Air Canada travels on Sundays, it means that testing has to be done on Thursdays. It also means that everyone travelling on that Sunday to Canada as well as other destinations would have to be tested on the Thursday. The current testing timelines shown seem tight but indications are that attempts are being made to increase testing capacity & resources at MSJMC in order to accommodate this new requirement. Please pass this on to anyone that plans to travel or return from Antigua.
"Ministry of Tourism, and Investment.
MANDATORY PCR TEST REQUIRED FOR ALL PERSONS TRAVELLING TO CANADA
ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA, (January 6, 2021) - Effective January 7 2021 the Government of Canada requires all air passengers five years of age and older to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling to Canada.
Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada.
Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine. Travellers to Canada must use the ArriveCAN App or website (https://www.canada.ca/.../coronavirus.../arrivecan.html...) and provide accurate contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry.
Persons travelling from Antigua & Barbuda to countries that require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result be shown on arrival, can arrange to have the RT-PCR test performed at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC), Michael’s Mount, Antigua.
The Mount St. John’s Medical Centre testing process outlined below applies to travellers only.
The Mount St. John’s Medical Centre advises that travellers are required to commence the testing process at least 7 days prior to the departure date to facilitate an appointment for swabbing. Appointments will be confirmed once registration and financial clearance have been verified.
Application Requirements:
STEP 1 - REGISTRATION AND BILLING
• Completed RT-PCR test request form for each person
• Government issued photo ID (passport preferred)
• Processing Fee:
$300 XCD – Antigua & Barbuda citizens AND Citizens of CARICOM member states (N.B this category does not include international patients with MBS cards)
$200 USD – International Patients
Payment can be made using credit card. The RT PCR Test Request Form and the Credit Card authorization form, can be downloaded from www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory
STEP 2 – SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
• Please email a copy of your travel itinerary and this stamped PCR request form to covidresults@msjmc.org for an appointment. Please indicate any special requirements with regards to timeline for validity of test, result submission to destination before travel, etc.
STEP 3 – SAMPLE COLLECTION
• Original PCR test request form stamped by MSJMC Cashier & Passport must be presented to the physician at the time for testing.
*** Sample Collection Days: Weekdays (Monday – Thursday) from 2pm to 4pm & Friday from 1pm to 3pm (BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY). Results are issued 24-48 hours after sample collection.
For further information about covid-19 testing at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre in Antigua, please call Tel: (268) 484-2700 or email: info@msjmc.org
For further information and updates on Canada’s entry requirements go to: Pre-departure COVID-19 testing and negative results to be required for all air travellers coming to Canada - Canada.c
