Starting Oct. 1, Canada will lift all restrictions related to COVID-19 and allow it on behalf of any traveler coming from the US and the UK.
Canadian regulators have changed regulations two and a half years after many other countries began implementing requirements for people entering and traveling within the country. In addition to mandating masks, random testing, and vaccinations, the nation had some of the strictest policies in the world.
Air and rail travel restrictions and screening for pandemic-associated viruses (COVID-19) for passengers coming into Canada are no longer required. These have now been permanently lifted and have been replaced with: any citizen of a foreign country, regardless of whether he/she may be traveling or has been sick or where he/she came from, are welcome in Canada.
It means that travelers will no longer be required to submit mandatory health information through ArriveCAN. There will be no requirement for travelers to provide proof of vaccination or undergo COVID-19 testing before or after arrival. Additionally, Canada’s prior policies for quarantine, isolation, and symptom monitoring will be removed.
Health officials have said that some guidelines will remain in place to protect passengers and crew members during Canadian cruises, although similar restrictions will be lifted. Travel restrictions for cruises will remain in line with U.S. guidelines, the agency announced.
A proposed revision to Canada’s COVID-19 regulation does not take away mask requirements for people traveling on planes or trains. Still, public health officials said it is strongly advised that one not travel at all when experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
Health officials said the government’s decision to end travel restrictions was based on the country’s high vaccination rate and low COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates.
Travel restrictions on COVID-19 to be removed by Canada Reference Video
“Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border,” said Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos in a statement included with the health agency’s announcement. “However, we expect COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses and exercise individual public health measures.”
