Canada to scrap COVID vaccine requirement for international travellers

Canada will soon scrap COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international visitors. Using of ArriveCAN app will also become optional and random COVID-19 tests at airports will also be discontinued by the end of September. However, travellers will still have to wear face masks on planes for domestic flights and on trains. According to reports, measures adopted by Canada to curb the spread of COVID 19 will end on September 30. It means unvaccinated travellers will also be allowed to enter Canada and the need to quarantine will also be removed.

Critics of the COVID-prevention measures adopted by Canada say that ArriveCAN created long delays in the entry. Those who did not comply with ArriveCAN requirement were also imposed with a hefty fine of $6255. The Conservatives, the main opposition to Canada’s Liberal government, have also asked the authorities to forgive any fines handed out for failing to comply with the ArriveCAN regulations.

High vaccination rate, increasing availability and use of rapid tests, decreasing hospitalizations and increased domestic availability of treatments for COVID-19 are some of the factors that encouraged Canada to ease COVID restrictions.

Starting from April 2022, Canada began lifting various COVID restrictions. From April 1 onwards, it became no longer mandatory for the fully vaccinated travellers to provide pre-entry COVID-19 test results to enter Canada.

However, it must be noted that, all travellers will have to submit the necessary information through ArriveCAN mobile app or website until it is official declared to be optional. But Canada Border Services Agency has also specified on their website that “If you’re not able to use ArriveCAN due to accessibility needs, you won’t be denied boarding or entry into Canada.”

If a person is exempt from using ArriveCAN, they must be ready to show the following items to a Canadian government official upon their arrival to the country:

• pre-entry test results, if required;
• proof of vaccination (in English or French or a certified translation in English or French);
• travel documents.

They will also be questioned about their 14-travel history. They will have to show a suitable plan if it becomes necessary for them to quarantine.

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