Just days before the government is set to roll out mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travellers returning to Canada, the CEOs of the country's largest airlines are calling on Transport Minister Marc Garneau to delay the rollout until later this month, CBC News has learned. The carriers are proposing that the new rules — due to take effect on Thursday — should instead kick in on January 18. Transport Minister Marc Garneau is being warned by the airline industry that the federal government's rapid introduction of airport testing risks stranding Canadians abroad. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)Airline industry called for testing at Canadian airports for monthsThe new rules come after the airline industry spent months calling on the federal government to conduct COVID-19 testing at airports in Canada. Travellers whose tests come back negative can leave quarantine as long as they remain in Alberta for 14 days.

Source: CBC News January 05, 2021 17:04 UTC