Canada to remove all COVID travel restrictions from October 1

A man pushes a baggage cart wearing a mandatory face mask as a “Healthy Airport” travel initiative is launched, while observing social distancing protocols to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 23, 2020. Reuters / Carlos Osorio

OTTAWA (Reuters) – The Canadian government said on Monday it will scrap all COVID-19 restrictions on travelers from October 1, including vaccination and concealment requirements for flights and trains.

The move is likely to boost the Canadian travel industry, which is already booming after months of lull during the pandemic.

Canadian airlines have also been pushing for an end to hiding authorizations on flights, citing thousands of non-compliance incidents this year alone.

“As Canadians and international visitors look to make travel plans, the long-awaited removal of all remaining measures from October 1, 2022 will accelerate the recovery of our industry and Canadian economy,” WestJet Airlines, Canada’s second-largest airline, said in a statement. statement.

The Canadian government said the decision to end restrictions was based on Canada’s vaccination rate, availability of newer vaccines and treatments, and data showing that the country has passed the peak of the recent wave of coronavirus infections.

More than 90% of Canadians over the age of 12 have taken the initial series of the COVID vaccine. This month, Canada authorized Moderna Inc’s Follow Favorite Adult COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, the country’s first Omicron-adapted vaccine. Read more

“Thanks to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift health measures at the border,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said.

Duclos said the government was ready to restore restrictions if necessary.

“Obviously we have no hope of reinstating some of these measures, but if we need to protect the safety of Canadians, we will have to,” he told reporters in Ottawa.

Travelers, regardless of nationality, will not have to provide health information through the ArriveCAN app or provide proof of vaccination from Saturday.

The requirement that travelers wear masks on planes and trains will also be dropped. Cruise ship passengers and crew will also not be subject to COVID vaccination or testing requirements.

(Covering) By Ismail Shakeel in Ottawa and Alison Lambert in Montreal Editing by Alistair Bell and David Gregorio

Our criteria: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.