september 30 travel restrictions canada

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Canada to drop COVID-19 vaccine requirement at border by September 30: Source

By Lucas Casaletto

Posted September 20, 2022 5:54 pm.

Last Updated September 21, 2022 11:46 am.

The federal government is expected to drop mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirements at its border as of September 30, an official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press .

The official said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to give a final sign-off on it but said the government would likely be dropping the requirement as well as ending random COVID-19 testing at airports.

Federal cabinet ministers have confirmed they are considering options and say discussions are being had within the government about whether or not to keep the travel measures in place.

“These decisions are constantly reassessed,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning. “This is a time to reassess those particular measures now. Once that is done, communication will follow.”

Health Minister @jyduclos when asked if the Feds are considering scrapping the COVID vaccine mandate for foreign travellers and making the ArriveCan app optional. Listen to @CityNewsTO for the details #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/ptgMtJkiVT — Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) September 21, 2022

According to the Associated Press source, filling out information in the ArriveCan app will also no longer be required. The app, currently required by travellers to provide mandatory travel and public health information when entering the country, will expire on September 30.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The feds last extended public health measures at borders, including using the ArriveCan app, on June 29. At the time, the government said 95 per cent of land and air travellers had been using the app.

The mask mandate for travellers on planes and trains is expected to remain in place.

A fully vaccinated traveller entering the country is considered immunized if they have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of two accepted vaccines, or at least one dose of the Johnson & Johnson shot.

These individuals must have received a second dose at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada.

Related: Staffing shortages, passport and Nexus backlogs: What’s being done to fix travel delays?

This would mean unvaccinated professional athletes like major league baseball players would be allowed to play in Toronto in the playoffs should the Blue Jays make the postseason.

Several notable players — including National League MVP candidates and teammates Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado — were forced to skip a road trip to Toronto due to their unvaccinated status.

Former Blue Jay and reigning American League CY Young award winner Robbie Ray, who signed with the Seattle Mariners in November 2021, didn’t accompany his team to Toronto in their last series as a result of being unvaccinated.

Entering Tuesday, the Blue Jays are a game-and-a-half ahead of the Mariners for the top spot in the AL Wild Card. The U.S. currently mandates that all entrants be vaccinated, though it’s unclear if that will be reversed by September 30.

On June 20, Canada suspended COVID-19 vaccine mandates for domestic travel on planes and trains and outbound international travellers.

The Canadian government has also since lifted COVID-19 vaccine mandates for federally regulated workers , including those in public service, the RCMP, and transport workers, including truckers.

With files from Rob Gillies of The Associated Press

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Latest border and travel measures

This news release may not reflect the current border and travel measures. Check COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for the latest requirements to enter Canada.

Important notice

Note that information and resources on the coronavirus (COVID-19) are available on Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Government of Canada maintains current border measures for travellers entering Canada

From: Public Health Agency of Canada

News release

Today, the Government of Canada announced it is extending current border measures for travellers entering Canada. Requirements for travellers arriving to Canada are expected to remain in effect until at least September 30, 2022.

June 29, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

To help keep people in Canada safe, the Government of Canada put in place border measures to reduce the risk of the importation and transmission of COVID-19 and new variants in Canada related to international travel.

In addition, the pause of mandatory random testing will continue at all airports until mid-July, for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated. The pause was put in place on June 11, 2022, and is allowing airports to focus on streamlining their operations, while the Government of Canada moves forward with its planned move of COVID-19 testing for air travellers outside of airports to select test provider stores, pharmacies, or by virtual appointment. Mandatory random testing continues at land border points of entry, with no changes. Travellers who do not qualify as fully vaccinated, unless exempt, will continue to test on Day 1 and Day 8 of their 14-day quarantine.

Moving testing outside of airports will allow Canada to adjust to increased traveller volumes while still being able to monitor and quickly respond to new variants of concern, or changes to the epidemiological situation. Border testing is an important tool in Canada’s detection and surveillance of COVID-19 and has been essential in helping us slow the spread of the virus. Data from the testing program are used to understand the current level and trends of importation of COVID-19 into Canada. Border testing also allows for the detection and identification of new COVID-19 variants of concern that could pose a significant risk to the health and safety of Canadians. In addition, this data has and continues to inform the Government of Canada’s safe easing of border measures.

All travellers must continue to use ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) to provide mandatory travel information within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada, and/or before boarding a cruise ship destined for Canada, with few exceptions. Additional efforts are being undertaken to enhance compliance with ArriveCAN, which is already over 95% for travellers arriving by land and air combined.

"As we move into the next phase of our COVID-19 response, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over. We must continue to do all that we can to keep ourselves and others safe from the virus. It is also important for individuals to remain up to date with the recommended vaccinations to ensure they are adequately protected against infection, transmission, and severe complications. As we have said all along, Canada’s border measures will remain flexible and adaptable, guided by science and prudence." The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos Minister of Health

"Today’s announcement would not be possible without Canadians’ continued efforts to vaccinate themselves, wear their masks, and follow public health advice while travelling. Our Government’s commitment will always be to protect passengers, employees, and their communities from the impacts of COVID-19, while keeping our transportation system strong, efficient, and resilient for the long-term." The Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport

"Our Government is deeply invested in growing our visitor economy, and the Canadian economy as a whole. From our reputation as a safe travel destination to our world-class attractions and wide-open spaces, Canada has it all and we are ready to welcome back domestic and international tourists, while prioritizing their safety and well-being. We will continue to work with all orders of governments and partners to reduce the friction in the travel system and ensure a memorable travel experience for all." The Honourable Randy Boissonnault Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

"The health and safety of Canadians is our government’s top priority. At the same time, we will continue to add resources to ensure that travel and trade can keep moving - and I especially want to thank Canada Border Services Agency employees for their tireless work. We always take action to secure our borders and protect our communities, because that’s what Canadians expect." The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino Minister of Public Safety

Associated links

• COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders
• COVID-19: Vaccinated travellers entering Canada
• COVID-19: Boarding flights and trains in Canada
• Summary data about travellers, testing and compliance

Marie-France Proulx Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos Minister of Health 613-957-0200

Laurel Lennox Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra Minister of Transport, Ottawa [email protected]

Media Relations Public Health Agency of Canada 613-957-2983 [email protected]

Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa [email protected] 613-993-0055

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