Canadian Government To Start Easing Border Restrictions In July

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The Government of Canada is set to loosen some restrictions at the border starting in July.

Officials announced details of the first phase of easing border measures for travellers entering Canada.

Beginning July 5th, 2021 at 11:59pm, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 8. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.

To be considered fully vaccinated, the government says a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.

The government says fully vaccinated travellers must still meet all other mandatory requirements, including pre-arrival and on-arrival testing.

Fully vaccinated travellers must also be asymptomatic, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada. They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine. As with all other exempt travellers, the government says travellers will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada.

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, the government says there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures. Travellers must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada. Unvaccinated air travellers must also book a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada.

The government says anyone who submits false information on vaccination status could be liable to a fine of up to $750,000 or six months imprisonment or both, under the Quarantine Act, or prosecution under the Criminal Code for forgery.

Despite the easing of restrictions, officials are still urging Canadians to limit non-essential travel.

“At this time, the Government of Canada continues to strongly advise Canadians to avoid non-essential travel,” said Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair. “Although the future is looking brighter than it has for a long time with COVID-19 cases on a downward trend and vaccination efforts going well across the country, we can’t let our guard down.”