Vaccinated travellers no longer need pre-entry COVID-19 tests to enter Canada – National
Vaccinated travellers getting into Canada now not want a pre-entry COVID-19 check.
The change to the foundations beforehand requiring any traveller, no matter vaccination standing, to supply a unfavorable PCR or speedy check upon entry into Canada took impact April 1.
Nonetheless, Well being Canada will nonetheless require anybody arriving from outdoors the nation to put on a masks in public settings for a minimum of two weeks, even when they’re absolutely vaccinated.
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Canada’s journey guidelines simply modified. What’s new, and what’s the identical?
The principles for unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated Canadians and different travellers who’re exempt from the vaccine requirement stay unchanged. They might nonetheless want to supply a unfavorable check, or proof that sufficient time has handed after an an infection, to enter the nation.
There may nonetheless be obligatory, random PCR testing at airports for all travellers, regardless of vaccination standing, however chosen passengers wouldn’t be required to isolate whereas awaiting outcomes, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advised World Information in an emailed assertion.
Whether or not you’re flying or crossing on the land border, you’d additionally nonetheless need to fill out the ArriveCAN App. “This is applicable to all travellers getting into Canada, whatever the size of their journey,” the CBSA assertion mentioned.
Travellers would nonetheless be requested to add their contact data, journey particulars and vaccination data on ArriveCan — every part barring the unfavorable COVID-19 check if they’re absolutely vaccinated, in response to Lisa White, director, Central Alberta District for Canada Border Companies Company.
“If you happen to don’t full it (ArriveCan documentation), you possibly can be topic to the total quarantine interval of 14 days,” White mentioned.
“That’s why we’re impressing upon people the significance of getting that accomplished” earlier than they get to Canada, White mentioned.
“It’s quite simple. It’s very quick,” mentioned White. “And it simply makes your return to Canada that rather more smoother and also you’re avoiding that potential for quarantine as nicely.”
Ever since Canada introduced the change two weeks in the past, journey teams say they’ve seen a surge in journey bookings and inquiries.
“It’s a extremely constructive step,” mentioned Richard Vanderlubbe, president of Tripcentral.ca.
Aside from the added value and problem of taking a check earlier than boarding a aircraft, travellers don’t have to fret about being stranded abroad and lengthening their keep in the event that they check constructive for COVID-19 whereas overseas, Vanderlubbe mentioned.
“It’s a giant blocker for journey demand that’s gone now and we’ve seen persevering with rise in bookings and inquiries since then,” Vanderlubbe advised World Information.
Martin Firestone, a journey insurance coverage dealer in Toronto, mentioned the lifting of the testing requirement mixed with easing of public well being measures introduced in latest weeks goes to have a “big impact on journey.”
He mentioned insurance coverage gross sales for the month of March have been already greater than pre-pandemic ranges in 2019.
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‘Open for tourism once more’: Canada eyes restoration as COVID-19 journey guidelines ease
“The underside line is to all these travelling after April 1, now it’s a reduction to not need to get examined to come back again into the nation,” Firestone advised World Information.
The Canadian Journey and Tourism Roundtable additionally issued a press release after the preliminary announcement, lauding the federal government’s resolution.
“This constructive growth will convey Canada into higher alignment with different main nations, is a recognition that the Canadian journey and tourism business has lengthy been among the many nation’s most secure, and brings the business nearer to a return to regular,” the group mentioned.
— with information from World Information’ Saba Aziz, Tomasia DaSilva and The Canadian Press
