‘Relieved, but what a nightmare!’: Traveller’s pre-entry COVID test questioned by border officials

With Canada continuing to require proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter the country, some travellers are turning to the portable RT-LAMP test kit offered by Switch Health as a convenient option.

Rather than running the risk of not having quick access to PCR testing in the country you are visiting, the self-administered test is marketed on Air Canada’s pages as meeting the testing requirements for entry into Canada, easily appealing to Canadian’s like Derek Hodel.

“We recently travelled by car from Toronto to upstate NY to celebrate New Years with friends,” he tells CityNews, “As we would be staying in the country where access to PCR tests is limited, before departing we purchased two RT-LAMP test kits from Switch Health.”

The Toronto resident and his travel companion completed the testing with ease and had their results within 30 minutes. Prepared with the required documents in hand to return home, they were surprised when they arrived at the border and were told that their tests did not meet the requirements.

“The Canada Border Services Agency officer said, ‘these tests are not valid – you’re required to have tests conducted in the United States,'” said Hodel, “We explained that we had purchased the test prior to leaving Canada and conducted the test in New York via video teleconference with a Switch Health nurse. No dice.”

The pair were told to standby as a Public Health Agency of Canada representative would review their case, only to be denied a second time. Hodel said that they were provided with two options – either return to the U.S. to secure a new PCR test and re-enter Canada or continue, potentially violating the Quarantine Act which comes with a potential fine of up to $5,000 and/or quarantine in a designated facility.

“Trying not to panic, we asked if we could speak to the PHAC representative, as we had purchased the tests in good faith, relying on Air Canada marketing materials,” explained Hodel.

“Eventually, a PHAC agent in full PPE approached the car. He explained that the RT-LAMP test kits were causing a lot of confusion,” adding that there was alleged disagreement amongst the PHAC colleagues about how to process cases similar to theirs.

The two were urged to secure lab-based PCR tests for future travel and would be granted an exemption to cross into Canada this time only.

---

RELATED: Frustration mounts as travellers report prolonged quarantines due to delayed COVID tests

RELATED: Canada not changing border COVID testing rules, despite PCR shortage

---

“RT-LAMP tests meet the requirement for a molecular test for entry into Canada,” confirmed Jordan Paquet, Switch Health Vice President of Public Affairs in an email to CityNews. “Our kits have been used for entry at both land and air border crossings for the last number of months.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada also confirmed that RT-LAMP is one of four accepted molecular tests, which require a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.

“We use the Lucira Kit – full name is Lucira Checkit COVID-19 Test Kit,” says Paquet, in reference to the list of authorized testing devices related to COVID-19 on the Canadian government’s website.

So why the confusion? Hodel believes that it is related to the address of the lab being listed in Canada on the COVID-19 negative molecular test result documents they provided.

“It’s not that they said the RT-LAMP wasn’t accepted. It’s that you have to have the tests in the United States,” he said. “They were saying that the test implies that I had the test in Mississauga. And the border guard was like, I can tell by the date that you didn’t have it in Canada.”

CityNews reached out to the Public Health Agency of Canada asking that while the name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test must be displayed, does the address need to originate from the country the traveller is arriving from. We have yet to receive a response to our inquiry.

And while Hodel certifies the CBSA agents were polite throughout the entire process, it isn’t an ordeal he wants other traveller’s who abide by the regulations to experience.

“Needless to say, we were relieved, but what a nightmare!”