Ottawa: The Canadian government has announced that “fully vaccinated” citizens and permanent residents can enter the country without having to undergo quarantine stay at a government-authorized hotel, starting from July 5.
The announcement on Monday came as more than 75 per cent of eligible Canadians have received one dose of vaccine and over 20 per cent have received two doses, reports news agency.
To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada.
Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/ COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.
For these new measures to apply to them, fully vaccinated travellers must still meet all other mandatory requirements, including pre- and on-arrival testing.
Continued testing will allow public health experts to keep monitoring positivity rates at the border, monitor for variants of concern, and make further adjustments to border measures as needed. Fully vaccinated travellers must also be asymptomatic, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada.
They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine.
As with all other exempt travellers, they will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada. Entering fraudulent information into the app will result in fines of up to C$750,000 or six months in prison.
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures. They must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, which have been effective in reducing importation and transmission of COVID-19 and variants in Canada, and provide COVID19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada.
Unvaccinated air travellers must also book a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada. If a fully vaccinated traveller tests positive for Covid-19, they will be required to follow local public health quarantine requirements. Children who aren’t vaccinated will be able to go home with their parents but must quarantine for two weeks.
“As we’ve told Canadians all along, easing measures at the border will happen as we see our communities increasingly become safe,” Health Minister Patty Hajdu said at a press conference. “At this time we are not opening up our borders any further.
The Government continues to work globally through the World Health Organization as well as with the provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and American authorities on moving forward toward reopening in a way that is safe for both countries.”
Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, said. The government also announced that international commercial flights will continue to be funnelled through the MontrealTrudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport. The government also “strongly” advises that Canadians avoid non-essential travel outside of the country.
• The Government is extending, until July 21, 2021,11:59 p.m. EDT, the temporary travel restrictions on discretionary (nonessential) international travel and with the US. Travellers who are currently eligible to enter Canada include Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, as well as some foreign nationals who are allowed to enter Canada under current entry prohibitions The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India will be extended until July 21, 2021.
The order requiring air passengers who depart India to Canada via an indirect route must obtain a COVID-19 pre-departure test from a third country before continuing their journe. The NOTAM and Interim Order will not be extended for Pakistan at this time. Currently, foreign nationals who hold a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence approved on or before March 18, 2020 are allowed to enter Canada. As of June 21, 2021, any foreign national who holds a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence will be allowed to travel to Canada.