Canada Will Drop All COVID-19 Restrictions For Travelers From October 1

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos stated on Monday that the Canadian government will discontinue its COVID-19 border controls starting on October 1 for all travelers. No longer will foreign travellers be required to present a vaccination record or test results upon arrival. Additionally, arriving traveller quarantine regulations will be abolished.

As of October 1, 2022, all visitors to Canada, regardless of citizenship, will no longer be required to submit public health data via the ArriveCAN app or website, show proof of vaccination, submit to pre- or on-arrival testing, participate in COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation, monitor their health, or report any COVID-19 signs or symptoms, says The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Additionally, masks won't be required on Canadian trains or flights. According to PHAC, Canada's high vaccination rates, low hospitalization, and death rates, as well as the availability and use of vaccine boosters, are the main reasons why travel restrictions have been lifted. The government continues to strongly advise travellers to use masks and properly check their health.

In response to the global outlook on the COVID-19 pandemic, this news was expected. As more individuals get vaccinated and the virus transitions from being a pandemic to being endemic, like the common cold, the number of cases has been declining.

Since last June, Canada has waived the vaccination requirements for both domestic and international travel. Government representatives said at the time that the suspension of those vaccination requirements was a result of the improved public health situation, with 90% of Canadians already having received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The omicron infection peak has passed, and the travel and aviation sectors have been urging the government to loosen the regulations. For visitors travelling from abroad, the ArriveCan app will no longer be required. Travelers won't need to upload their itinerary and vaccination documentation to the app to show CBSA agents anymore.

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