Canada to require negative COVID test from flyers before entry Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press The future of travel: How the pandemic is reshaping tourism VIDEO SIGN OUT OTTAWA - Anyone arriving in Canada starting Jan. 7 will need to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding and may have to quarantine in a federal facility if they have inadequate isolation plans, the federal government says. Flyers aged five and up will need have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their scheduled departure and must show the results to their airline before they board their flight. Travellers who receive a negative test result must still complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine.