The Canadian federal government announced on 15FEB that it is easing border restrictions and dropping its advisory against non-essential travel, effective 28FEB. In addition, all Canadian airports will be open to international flights by the end of the month.
In a press conference, Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos announced Canada will return to random testing for all vaccinated passengers at air and land borders, the same system which was in place before Ottawa implemented mandatory airport testing. If travellers are randomly selected for testing, they will no longer be required to quarantine while waiting for results.
Children 12 and under, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will not be required to self-isolate after returning to Canada. This means, for example, children no longer need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or daycare.
In addition, travellers have the option to present a negative rapid antigen test to return to Canada, or a PCR test. The antigen test must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased. It must be taken taken the "day prior" to the traveller's scheduled flight or arrival at the land border, according to a press release.
For travellers who present a negative PCR test, it must be taken no more than 72 hours before returning to Canada. For Canadians presenting proof of recovery, the federal government still requires a PCR test at least 10 days old and no more than 180 days old.
Lifting of Travel Advisory
Duclos announced that the federal government is dropping its advisory against non-essential travel, saying that “it is time to adjust our approach”. Due to the Omicron variant, the advisory was put in place on 15DEC 2021.
The Minister noted that these changes are not permanent and will be reassessed within the coming weeks and months. Should the health situation improve, with lower case counts and hospitalization numbers, further eased restrictions may be possible.
International Flight Ban Ended
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra made the welcome announcement that all Canadian airports will be permitted to accept international flights by the end of the month. Transport Canada’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), restricts where international passenger flights can arrive in Canada will expire on 28FEB. Currently, only 18 airports accept international flights.
Cruising
Alghabra added that further updates on testing for cruise ships in Canadian ports will be provided in time for the spring cruising season to Alaska.
