The government of Canada has taken a layered approach to border management and safety protocols surrounding COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020.
With the evolving situation, latest evidence and available data regarding the epidemiological situation, the Government of Canada announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine and isolation requirements for visitors entering Canada, effective October 1.
The decision to remove border measures was based on a number of factors, including modeling that indicates Canada has largely passed the peak of COVID-19 variants, the country’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, as well as the availability and use of boosters, rapid tests and available COVID-19 treatments.
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“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 the Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Health. “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.
“I also thank the dedicated public health officers and frontline staff at our land borders and airports who have worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of people in Canada for the last two years,” he added.
Effective October 1, all travelers to Canada, regardless of citizenship, will no longer be required to:
- 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
Transport Canada is also removing travel requirements, effective October 1, and travelers will no longer be required to undergo health check for travel on air and rail or wear masks on planes and trains, but all travelers are highly encouraged to continue wearing high-quality, well-fitted masks during travel.
This information was gathered from a press release from The Government of Canada.
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