The federal government announced on Wednesday that all existing border restrictions on entry into Canada will remain in effect until at least September 30.
This means that foreign travelers will still have to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated to enter the country, and unvaccinated Canadians or permanent residents will have to provide a molecular test for COVID-19 done before entry and quarantined for 14 days after arrival.
The government also still requires all travelers, regardless of nationality, to upload their vaccine information and travel documents to the ArriveCan app.
The restrictions were last extended on May 31.
A report from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) shows a long pause in random tests at all airports until mid-July for fully vaccinated.
The break was implemented on June 11 as Ottawa’s attempt to alleviate airport congestion and delays caused by increased travel demand and staff shortages.
Their stated intention is to move testing for COVID-19 for air travelers outside airports to “select test provider stores”, such as pharmacies or through a virtual meeting.
“Moving tests out of airports will allow Canada to adapt to the increased number of passengers, while being able to monitor and respond quickly to new concerns or changes in the epidemiological situation,” the PHAC said in a statement.
On June 11, the government also announced that the vaccination mandate for domestic and outgoing international travelers would expire as of June 20.
Many industrial organizations and opposition lawmakers have long called on the government to abandon various border measures, namely duplication of travel-slowing processes, claiming they have the potential to stifle Canada’s already depleted tourism sector.
In response, Canadian health and tourism ministers continue to reinforce that although the epidemiological situation in Canada has improved, the pandemic still exists.
“As we move on to the next phase of our response to COVID-19, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over. “We must continue to do everything we can to protect ourselves and others from the virus,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said in a statement Wednesday.
He added that Canada’s border measures remain “flexible” and “driven by science and reason”.
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