Entry to Canada using ArriveCan
Updated Jan 19. (Minor comment Feb 16th) Information in this blog post is still current until Feb 28, 2022 at which time it will be edited with the most current information)This is for all Canadians travelling back to Canada or US citizens considering coming to Canada. I thought we’d pass on what we learned in returning to Canada from our short driving visit to our place at ISRVR.
First, we used “Curative”, a healthcare provider who provides PCR testing. You need to be careful as to the type of test accepted by Canada. A PCR/Naat or PCR test qualify. "Rapid Antigen" tests do not. Our tests and many others were back to us in 12-17 hrs.
Some pharmacies also offer tests. Caution when using pharmacies as we are hearing more and more can not meet the 72 hr. testing window and some do not offer PCR tests. Just make sure you get a PCR test. It will take 1-2 days. Curative only offers PCR tests , follows California's testing requirements and operates in Riverside County facilities and around California and in other states. We now have confirmed information that CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreen have lost test results and/or at times now with Omicron they are quite slow or exceed the 72 hr window in returning results, this can create stress that you do not need.
Note: Curative is dealing with very high call volumes for appointments due to Omicron. Plan well in advance and be flexible to meet the demand and availability of testing appointments. Better to leave a day or 2 earlier or later.
When to use a rapid Antigen Test.
The US government is now offering free kits of 4 rapid antigen tests. While they are not accepted as a replacement for the PCR test for travel, they are good to use under certain conditions. Here is a good article to read about when to use this test. When to Use Rapid Antigen Test.
Here is an updated list (Jan 7 /22) from the Desert Sun of reliable Covid testing sites in the Coachella Valley. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/health/2021/09/10/covid-19-test-where-you-can-go-coachella-valley/5779088001/
In the USA, currently Covid-testing is a Federally funded program and is available to Canadian's at no cost to you. Use your Indio Springs address when providing an address, and scan your Canadian drivers license. It is only used as government issued picture ID for proof that you are who you say you are.
The closest site to our park is at 82775 Plaza Ave, Indio, CA 92201 Indio Fleet Services. It was easy to book a slot for the testing by using their online calendar function, and a healthcare worker instructs/observes you in how to take the sample once you are there. Their website says a 1 to 2 day return on samples once the sample reaches their lab. Our experience and that of many other park users saw results back within 12-16 hrs. which is quick for a PCR test. The testing is at no cost to you. You will need an internet connection and device (phone or PC) to book and receive your results. A cell ph text number is helpful for quick notification but not imperative as the results are delivered as a PDF to your email address that you will save and must present at the border. No paper copy is required.
All travellers coming back to Canada MUST download and use the ArriveCan app on their phone, or a laptop with internet connection to prepare and receive communication from the border crossing service. If you don't, here's some recent experiences reported in Sault Saint Marie.
ArriveCan App 
The ArriveCan app is built to collect and share with border agents your expected arrival time and date (within the 72 hr window), and pertinent travel document info. You must have an internet connection when processing this as it does not work off-line.
Here is the link to a quick video on ArriveCan.
You are the data entry clerk!
- The clock starts on the 72 hr window when you TAKE your PCR test, NOT when you receive the results.
- A phone is the handiest way with a camera to collect your passport info.
- It does not require you to upload the PCR test results but only produce them at the border in PDF form so that the border agent can scrutinize the document.
- We did this all by phone, including downloading the results from Curative so they could be easily displayed at the border.
- You will need to enter an arrival date and time estimate and be specific as to the border crossing you are entering at.
What happens Next?
Once you complete your ArriveCan app it will be sent electronically and you should receive an ArriveCan receipt which you will present at the border. That cues the border agent to scan this receipt and pull up all your information. He will verify your passports document match, your hard copy vaccination certificates match and will ask for you to produce the PDF of your negative test. (You must keep all this information for 14 days after crossing) You can have more than one traveler on an ArriveCan entry.At the Border
The border we crossed at only had 2 gates open and only 1 vehicle ahead of us at either gate. Both were Washington plated vehicles. One vehicle was directed to return to the USA and the one ahead of us was handed a "package".
When it was our turn the border agent was very professional and went through the steps quickly as I knew what to expect. But, at the end he apologized to my wife but said she had been ‘randomly selected’ to do another PCR test to sample and verify the results of the test done less than 72 hrs earlier, in fact about 49 hrs earlier. That is the same "package" that the vehicle ahead of us received and I suspect the same strategy is happening at the border crossing in Ontario in the linked article.
Random Testing
If you are randomly selected you receive a home test kit that must be virtually observed by a technician by booking an online appointment and you must have Microsoft Teams as the visual medium to observe you taking the test. It went simply enough but at the end of a long drive home and a ferry crossing etc etc. it’s the last thing you want to do. You can have it picked up with a free prepaid Fed-Ex label in the kit.
Hope this helps explain the process.
By the way, shortly the USA will require a test 24 hrs. Before flying to the USA.
Thanks to Omicron this isn't over yet!
Steps to consider:
1. Do you have a smart phone (Android or Iphone) or will you use a laptop?
2. If you have a smartphone download the ArriveCan app. For laptops go directly to this site and create an account.
3. Also anticipate that you will need to do a random test and download Microsoft Teams.
4. If using a smartphone you will be required to:
i. take a photo of the information/photo page of your passport during the information collection phase,
ii. you will need to also take a photo of the QR code and detailed information from your Canada Covid vaccination passport.
iii. store a downloaded PDF on your phone of the negative test results for each of the travelers listed on your app.
5. Before you plan to leave driving go to the Curative site and find an appointment time for each of your travelers and book the appointment within the 72 hr window for you to return to the border.
6. Have internet access to receive the email with the PDF report from Curative within 24-48 hrs. for each traveler. For convenience, if you have more than 1 traveler on your trip plan use 1 email address for all so all reports come to one email address.
7. Have internet access when completing the ArriveCan application and keep internet access for the QR code ArriveCan receipt. Save this QR code to your PC, or if using the app it will remain prominent on the display.
8. Have your passport, ArriveCan receipt and vaccination passports available for perusal.
Happy travels!
