Canada eases border measure for fully vaccinated travellers

With the advent of increased vaccination rates in Canada, declining Covid-19 cases, and reduced pressure on healthcare capacity, the government intends to bring a number of changes into effect. On 9 August, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the US will be permitted to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel. Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for US travellers who are not fully vaccinated and for all other foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the orders made under the Quarantine Act.

To be eligible to enter Canada, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents must have received the full series of a vaccine – or combination of vaccines – accepted by the Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide evidence supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation (along with the original).

Quarantine plan still required

In addition, fully vaccinated travellers must also:

• Provide Covid-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN (app or web portal) including proof of vaccination prior to departing for Canada
• Meet the pre-entry testing requirements
• Be asymptomatic upon arrival, and
• Have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation in English or French (or certified translation, along with the original) ready to show a government official on request.

All travellers must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, should they not meet the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine. They will also be required to follow public health measures in place, such as monitoring for signs and symptoms of Covid-19, wearing a mask when in public and keeping a copy of their vaccination documentation and test results – as well as a list of close contacts and locations visited – for 14 days after entry to Canada. For air travel, passengers continue to have to wear a mask in Canadian airports and on board flights to, from and within Canada, with few exceptions, and regardless of their vaccination status.

Since June, vaccinated Canadians coming back into the country are no longer required to use a quarantine hotel.