The Govt of Canada on Monday announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022.
The removal of border measures has been facilitated by a number of factors, including modelling that indicates Canada has largely passed the peak of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5-fueled wave, Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, and the availability and use of vaccine boosters (including new bivalent formulation), rapid tests, and COVID-19 treatments.
Canada Travel Update: New Border Measures
According to a news release issued by the Canadian Govt, Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have 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 in Canada.
The Govt of Canada has also decided to get rid of the current requirements for travel. Beginning on October 1, 2022, travellers won’t need to:
- Undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
- Wear masks on planes and trains.
Despite the lifting of the masking requirement, all travellers are strongly recommended to wear high-quality, properly fitted masks during their journeys.
Read More: Canada Visa Update : Likely to Process Pending Visa Applications by End of This Year
Additionally, there will no longer be any requirements for pre-boarding tests, vaccinations, or the use of ArriveCAN for cruise passengers. There will still be a set of regulations to protect passengers and crew that are consistent with those in the United States.
People are urged not to travel if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Travellers should notify a flight attendant, cruise staff member, or a border services officer if they get sick while travelling and are still sick when they arrive in Canada.
A quarantine officer may then be consulted to determine whether the traveller requires additional medical evaluation because COVID-19 is still one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act.
In order to safeguard their health and safety, the Canadian government also reminds travellers to make well-informed choices when considering international travel.
For more information on safe travel, they are urged to review the Travel advice and advisories.