Truck drivers were exempted from Canada's new land-border COVID-19 test rule

In February 2021, the federal government tightened COVID-19 rules at the Canada-U.S. land border, but kept commercial truck drivers out of the new testing requirement.

Starting Feb. 15, 2021, most travellers arriving by land had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken in the United States within 72 hours of arrival. The Public Health Agency of Canada said essential workers such as truckers and emergency service providers, along with cross-border communities, would be exempt. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined the change at a Feb. 10, 2021, briefing, and Transport Canada said commercial truckers were among the limited exceptions.

Trucking pushes back on testing talk

Days later, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair told CBC the government was exploring regular testing for essential workers, including truck drivers, entering the country.

In a Feb. 18, 2021, statement, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) said it did not support mandatory COVID-19 testing of truck drivers at the border. It argued that:

• spread of the virus among trucking employees had been extremely minimal
• long-haul trucking is largely self-isolating by nature
• testing at the border could cause heavy congestion and leave drivers running out of hours

CTA has estimated that close to 30,000 trucks a day cross the Canada-U.S. border, carrying nearly $3 billion in trade daily. It proposed voluntary testing instead, at sites such as truck stops and rest areas. Trucking associations also objected to a requirement for drivers to use the ArriveCAN app.