Travellers at YVR feel lucky after flight out of Hong Kong before COVID test rules

Travellers arriving in Vancouver from Hong Kong Wednesday said they were relieved to be among the last arrivals before Canada’s new COVID-19 testing requirements took effect, including one woman who changed her flight to avoid the rules.

Starting Thursday, from 12:01 a.m. eastern time, Canada will require travellers from China, Hong Kong or Macau to provide evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test within two days of departure.

The new measure, in place for 30 days, is a reaction to a surge in the virus in China and the limited epidemiological and other data available, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced Saturday.

Penny Tao was aboard a Cathay Pacific flight that touched down around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Another Cathay flight was delayed and expected to arrive at 9:02 p.m. local time, just after the rules were to take effect.