Canada mandates COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees and all air, rail and cruise travelers

The government of Canada announced Friday that it will require COVID-19 vaccination as early as September for all federal employees, as well as all commercial air travelers, passengers on trains traveling between provinces, and cruise ship passengers. 

"As the country's largest employer, the Government of Canada is committed to playing a leadership role by further protecting the health and safety of public servants," the government said in a press release announcing the policy, adding that it hopes to enforce the requirements by the end of October at the latest.  More than 71% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated, and 82% have gotten at least their first shot — a higher rate than the U.S., where 59% of eligible people are fully vaccinated. However, more than 6 million eligible people in Canada are still unvaccinated. Less than 1% of COVID-19 cases in Canada have been among those who have been fully vaccinated, the government said.