To test or not to test… and which kind of test, and to whom should it be given? Those are the questions that Canadians are pondering as, starting today (Nov. 30), fully vaccinated Canadians taking trips abroad lasting less than 72 hours will no longer require proof of a negative COVID-19 test to return home.

A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds Canadians divided about how to handle the border testing – or the lack of it – though a majority agree that they are ready to move past molecular tests such as the PCR (though it must be acknowledged that perceptions may change with the discovery of the first cases of the new omicron virus in Canada Sunday).

Results of the (pre-omicron poll) revealed that while one-quarter say PRC-type tests should remain the standard, the largest group (39%) would switch to rapid antigen tests currently used by the United States.

Over a third (36%), however, collectively believe there should be no testing for travellers at all, though 27% say that a free pass should only apply to vaccinated travellers, while one-in-10 (9%) would drop testing entirely regardless of status.

Not surprisingly, those who travelled frequently prior to the pandemic are most eager to drop restrictions, while the most infrequent travellers are the most inclined to keep molecular tests in place.

Among Canadians who say they travelled to the United States five or more times per year before pandemic restrictions took effect, half (48%) would drop testing for fully vaccinated travellers. Another 14% would drop testing completely.