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COVID-19 testing requirement still in effect for Canadians travelling to the U.S., Freeland confirms

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, commented on Canadians still requiring proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test to return from travel to the U.S.

"Canadians do need a valid PCR test to go back to Canada," Freeland said.

"I really believe that when it comes to finishing the fight against COVID the Canadian approach, which has been to follow science, to follow the recommendation of public health authorities and the air on the side of caution, has served us really, really well."

Freeland went on to highlight the sacrifices that Canadians have made throughout the pandemic, including Canada spending more than $280 billion on business and income supports.

"My priority is to finish the fight against COVID, to allow our economy to continue to reopen, to allow our kids to continue to go to school and yes, that does mean we need to continue to be prudent and careful," she said.

"I am not making predictions about the future and our government has been, throughout the pandemic, thoughtful about working with our public health authorities, working with scientists, working with doctors, and our measures have been flexible, and they have adapted to changing circumstances, and that, of course, will continue to be the situation."

Freeland added that it's also important for Canadians to be "that little bit more careful" as we see the effects on colder weather and children remaining in in-person learning at schools.

Her comments come after U.S. officials announced that fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to enter the country from land and ferry crossings for non-essential travel in November.