COVID-19: Negative tests for passengers from China vital to stop new variant, says infectious diseases expert

The federal government’s requirement for passengers coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours prior to departing for Canada is being lauded by the president and medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre.

“This is a little bit different than the previous situation where on an entire plane, if you were to screen the passengers, there would be only a few (COVID-infected people), if any,” Dr. Brian Conway said on Monday.

“The planes that are coming in from China now are coming in from an area that has an uncontrolled outbreak, possibly with a new variant.

“So that’s a little different than in the past.”

Planes from China landing at other international airports have reported COVID infections rates of 38 to 52 per cent of passengers, Conway said.