TORONTO — On Monday, the federal government made adjustments to further ease Canada’s border measures.
First, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged five to 11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor, will no longer be required to complete a COVID-19 test prior to entering Canada. Pre-entry tests will still be required for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers 12 and older. Children under five are not required to provide a COVID-19 test result.
Second, all fully vaccinated travellers will no longer be required to provide a quarantine plan upon entry to Canada. This requirement will also be removed for children aged five to 11 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, as well as travellers with a medical contraindication to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Finally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Canada will no longer be required to do the following for 14 days after arriving: mask while in public spaces, monitor and report if they develop symptoms, quarantine if another traveller in the same group shows symptoms or tests positive and maintain a list of close contacts and places visited.
However, all travellers are still required to use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours of their arrival to Canada. All travellers must also continue to wear a mask on federally regulated modes of transportation, regardless of vaccination status.
“The gradual easing of restrictions for travellers is part of our balanced and science-based approach to managing COVID-19 and its variants. Although some restrictions may be easing, air and rail travellers are reminded that they are still required to wear a mask throughout their travel journey,” says Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport. “Wearing a mask offers an extra layer of protection for you and your fellow travellers, and will help keep Canadians, workers and our transportation system safe.”
“We are committed to a safe re-opening; one that provides predictability, flexibility and shows the world that Canada is one of the safest places to travel. Today’s announcement is another step forward for travelling families, tourism workers and business owners, and the Canadian economy as a whole,” says Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance.
