Canada Covid19 travel restrictions

Canada lifts all travel restrictions for COVID -19 on Oct. 1

Travellers will no longer need to show proof of vaccination or use the ArriveCan app to enter Canada

As of October 1, 2022, the Government of Canada will no longer require travellers to receive vaccines, and ArriveCan will become an optional app.

Effective October 1, 2022, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will no longer require all travellers, regardless of nationality:

  • submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
  • provide proof of vaccination;
  • undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
  • carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
  • monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.

In addition, masks will no longer be required on flights and trains within Canada.According to PHAC, the lifting of travel restrictions is due to Canada’s high vaccination coverage, lower hospitalisation and mortality rates, and the availability and use of booster vaccines. The government continues to strongly recommend that travellers wear masks and closely monitor their health.

“Thanks to Canadians rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we are at a point where we can safely lift sanitary measures at the border,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “However, we anticipate that COVID -19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate during the cold months. Therefore, I encourage everyone to keep their COVID -19 vaccination up to date, including booster doses, and to take individual health measures.

ArriveCan to become optional

The ArriveCan app will be optional for travelers arriving from abroad. Travelers will no longer need to upload their itineraries and immunization records to the app to show to CBSA agents.

No requirements for domestic travel

This announcement was expected in response to the global outlook for the pandemic COVID -19. Cases have declined as more people get vaccinated and the virus moves from a pandemic to an endemic disease.

Canada suspended mandatory vaccination for domestic and international travel back in June of last year. At the time, government officials said the suspension of these vaccination requirements reflected the improved public health situation, as 90% of Canadians were already vaccinated against COVID -19.

Worldwide, more than 612 million cases of COVID -19 and more than six million deaths have been recorded since the pandemic began. These numbers are likely even higher, as many people do not get tested or otherwise diagnosed.

Source : CIC News