Canada will soon relax quarantine rules for Canadians and the international travellers who are exempt from border restrictions, provided they are fully vaccinated. Patty Hajdu, Health Minister of Canada, informed media the other day that those who are already exempt from travel restrictions will not have to quarantine for full 14 days, if they have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of arrival.
A firm date on when these changes will be implemented has not been revealed. However, it has been indicated that the change will come into effect by early July. Consultations are still going on between the Canadian government and provincial governments as well as the departments of public safety and immigration regarding relaxation of the restrictions.
Vaccines approved by Canada
When it comes to vaccination, travellers to Canada must keep in mind that only the four vaccines approved by Canada will be acceptable. These are Astra Zeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna. But Hajdu has further informed that the country will be assessing other vaccines also in the future.
Phased approach to border reopening
Canada will be adopting a phased approach in relaxing border measures. At present, those travelling to Canada are still required to produce a negative PCR COVID test at the time of arrival. They must also have a suitable quarantine plan while they wait for the test result.
Canada introduced border restrictions in the wake to COVID-19 in March 2020. It was last February, the country introduced three-day hotel stay quarantine rule. But soon after the border restrictions were extended to June 21, the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel of Canada called to end hotel quarantine rules of travellers.
It is expected that the border restrictions will be eased by the end of June or July. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had recently revealed that Canada was not in a rush to reopen the border. But last week, Trudeau said Canada was planning to adopt a phased-in approach for lifting border restrictions. However, an official date for reopening the border has not been revealed yet.
As the number of COVID cases is declining, it is expected that Canada will soon reopen its borders for immigrants. If you are planning to migrate to Canada, start the preparations right away so that you will not lose the upcoming opportunities for immigrating to your dream destination. For help, contact CanApprove.