Travelling this summer? Here's what you need to know as vaccine mandates lift
CBC
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As COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease, many Canadians are planning to travel this summer. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a trip.
Effective June 20, passengers no longer need to be fully vaccinated — with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one of Johnson & Johnson's — to board a plane or train in Canada.
The federal government is also lifting vaccination requirements for federally regulated workers, allowing airline and airport employees on unpaid leave because of their vaccination status to return to work.
Ottawa will bring back the mandates if the COVID-19 situation changes for the worse, according to Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, has said it's the "right time" to end the travel mandates, because they no longer serve their intended purpose of preventing COVID-19 transmission on transportation.
Vaccinated Canadians returning from abroad must still meet entry requirements, including using the ArriveCAN mobile app or desktop version to submit their travel- and COVID-19-related information within 72 hours before their arrival in Canada.
The unvaccinated must still meet additional testing and quarantine requirements or face a fine up to $5,000 or criminal prosecution.
Masks remain mandatory for those boarding planes or trains.
Some industry groups and politicians have blamed the recent chaos at some Canadian airports on COVID-related border restrictions, while government officials say the delayed or cancelled flights and hours-long security lineups are because of staffing shortages.
LeBlanc has said lifting the vaccine mandates won't immediately affect airport delays.
However, he and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra have said the government has taken steps to address the problems, including hiring more security screening personnel and adding more customs kiosks.
Health officials are encouraging Canadians to take extra precautions, because of the potential threat of monkeypox, if travelling to 31 countries including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Mexico, Spain and Germany. The "level two" notice, issued on June 7 by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is one step below a recommendation to avoid non-essential travel.
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