The federal government released details about its first phase to ease border measures for travellers entering Canada. Beginning July 5, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travellers (who are permitted to enter Canada) will not be subject to quarantine, and won’t be required to take a COVID-19 test on day 8 (although pre- and on-arrival testing will be conducted).
Fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air won’t be required to stay at a government-authorized quarantine hotel.
Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country but must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French, or with a certified translation. Travellers must also provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada.
The government made the announcement on Monday, noting that, to be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, the “accepted” vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
“Fully vaccinated travellers must also be asymptomatic,” the government said in a statement, adding that travellers 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, they 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.”
The news was well-received, but still brought about a host of questions/concerns:
What about land crossings, when are they expected to at least partially open?
— Sabrefan11 (@VagabondRetiree) June 21, 2021
I dont understand this? I thought fully vaccinated people could still carry the virus and pass it on
— Chris Burr (@Chris_Burr) June 21, 2021
Canadians working outside of the country who got vaccinated with the vaccine available to them,such as Sinovac-WHO approved for emergency use, are not included in this plan as Canada only recognises vaccines which are given in Canada.Fully vaccinated is fully vaccinated! ??
— Jennifer Garcia (@mrsjgarcia) June 21, 2021
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are currently no changes to Canada’s current border measures, meaning they’ll continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, including providing COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada, and booking a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada.
As of Monday, 12,669,775 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Ontario. Approximately 74.98% of people 12+ in Ontario have received at least one dose of a vaccine and 22.98% of people 12+ in Ontario are fully vaccinated.
Ontario reported 270 cases of COVID-19 on Monday, as well as three deaths, and over 13,800 tests completed. The new COVID cases include 47 in Toronto, 44 in the Waterloo region, 42 in Peel, 22 in York Region, 12 in Ottawa, and 12 in Niagara.
Click here for more COVID-19 Ontario updates.
