YYZ and YVR have begun requiring separate queues for international travellers based on their vaccination status, a move that health experts praise as minimizing risk while encouraging others to get their shot.
Meanwhile, YUL has already abandoned the process.
"This is a measure to help streamline the border clearance process," YYZ spokesperson Beverly MacDonald told the CBC. "There are different entry requirements for vaccinated and non/partially vaccinated travellers, which have been broadly communicated by the Government of Canada."
Currently these measures will only apply to US and other international travellers. Pax entering Canada from the United States or another international destination will be split into the two queues before reaching Canada Customs.
The new rules came into effect after the federal government updated its entry requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers. As of 05JUL, fully vaccinated travellers permitted to enter Canada are exempted from quarantine measures and testing for COVID-19 on their eighth day post-arrival.
There’s also a checklist for pax that involves providing proof of vaccination status - which must take place via the ArriveCan, the government’s vaccination portal app.
Vaccinated travellers are still required to get pre-entry and arrival tests, as well as a quarantine plan if not granted an exemption.
While the move may not appeal to all travellers - and could increase confusion and lineups in airports - many health experts argue that it will actually make travelling easier and safer - while encouraging the unvaccinated to get their shots.
"This will allow people to move very quickly, in and out of customs and whatnot," said Saskatoon-based intensive care unit physician Dr. Hassan Masri in an interview with CTV News Channel.
"But also in addition to that, I think it's good to have a way to minimize the risk of interactions with other people who are potentially higher risk of having COVID-19 or spreading it."
At least one aiport has already called it quits on separate lineups. YUL implemented separate queues as part of a pilot project on 05 and 06JUL, but abandoned the process after it failed to produce the desired results.
"The goal was to have a smooth process, however, the configuration of the primary border control inspection line area and the volumes of fully vaccinated passengers did not allow the goal of smoothness to be achieved," explained Montreal airports public relations director Anne Marcotte to CTV Montreal.
In YUL, upon leaving the public area, pax are now directed to different screening clinics depending on their vaccination status.
As air traffic increases, and as Canada’s restrictions for vaccinated travellers - and eventually, perhaps for unvaccinated travellers - ease, it’s unknown whether separate lineups will ultimately be more efficient, practical, or even sustainable.
More info on YYZ’s COVID-19 protocols can be found here, here's an FAQ for YUL’s COVID policies, and the latest updates for YVR are here.
