Declaring Canada in a “transition phase” in the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials have announced that fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada will not have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test as of April 1.
“I think it’s fair to say that we are now enterixjmtzywng into a transition phase of this pandemic,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos as he announced the latest easing of pandemic travel restrictions.
As CTV News has reported, the pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers at land, air, and marine borders will no longer be in place by the end of the month.
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Passengers may still be subjected to random PCR testing at the airport—in part to monitor for new variants— though they will not be required to isolate while awaiting their results.
Unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated travellers will still face on-arrival and quarantine requirements.
All travellers will still have to use the ArriveCAN app or online form to enter their proof of vaccination and other required information.
The requirement to be fully vaccinated in order to board federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation remains in effect, with the government indicating no intention to lift their proof of vaccine policy for travel at this time.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said that for cruise passengers when the season starts in early April, they will still be required to take an antigen test no more than one day before their scheduled departure, but no longer will need to be tested before getting off the ship. All other requirements for cruises remain in place.
“Today is a day that many of us have been waiting for. It is a great day for Canadian travelers, tourism and aviation,” Alghabra said.
As the border rules stand, fully vaccinated travellers are required to show proof of a health professional-administered negative rapid antigen test taken ahead of a scheduled flight or crossing at a land border.
This has been the policy since late February, when the government eased the requirement for all travellers to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
Eliminating the testing requirement is something that travel and tourism organizations as well as the mayors of border towns have been calling for, arguing that the requirement is not justified by science and presented an unnecessary logistical and financial burden on travellers.
“The time has finally come,” said Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault on Thursday, adding that the sector has struggled to stay afloat through the pandemic.
Last month, the government lifted its travel advisory against all non-essential international travel, opening up the feasibility of vacation and other trips abroad.
“Canada’s tourism sector is ready to ensure the safety of travellers, employers, and the communities in which they operate. They are ready to welcome back the world,” Boissonnault said.
In Thursday’s announcement, the government did not have any further updates to border measures, though Duclos said that officials continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and changes could be made as infection trends both in Canada and abroad evolve.
This comes as the World Health Organization is cautioning there is currently an increase in international cases recently, including in Europe, the Western Pacific, and Africa.
He said that as the weather gets warmer and people start spending more time outside, the government is expecting to see transmission decline in the coming months, but Canada has to “be prepared for a waning of collective and individual immunity.”
Still, the government says it has no plans to update its proof of vaccination systems to require booster doses.
RELATED IMAGESview larger image
A worker checks the temperature of a traveler departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport, on Thursday, December 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
