Given the latest data showing that the Omicron COVID-19 variant has passed its peak in Canada, its government announced plans to begin easing border measures starting February 28, 2022. “It is now time to move towards a more sustainable approach to long-term management of COVID-19,” the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a press statement on Tuesday.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET on February 28, on-arrival testing for fully vaccinated travelers will be eased (although random travelers will continue to be selected for testing; however, they will no longer be require to quarantine while awaiting their test result). Children under 12 years old will continue to be exempt from quarantine, so long as they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult. Unvaccinated travelers will continue to be required to test upon arrival, on Day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Further, unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter Canada unless they meet one of the few exemptions.
Travelers also now have the option of using a rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) or a molecular test result (taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to meet pre-entry requirements. Note: Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not sufficient to meet the pre-entry requirement; it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
In addition, the Government of Canada will adjust its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2. This means that the government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes.
On February 28, at 4 p.m. ET, Transport Canada’s “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) that restricts where international passenger flights can arrive in Canada will expire. This means that international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at all remaining Canadian airports that are designated by the Canada Border Services Agency to receive international passenger flights.
Trade Response
The Global Business Travel Association Canada (GBTA Canada) welcomed the announcement. Removing barriers to entry for travel into Canada, especially for business travel, is a positive step that will contribute to the recovery of Canadian trade and commerce, it said. As pandemic policies continue to evolve, GBTA Canada also urged the government to align any future travel restrictions with best practices and policies used in the international community.
“Reducing Canada’s travel advisory, eliminating the need for molecular testing prior to entry, opening more airports to international travel and eliminating the need to quarantine bring us closer to normal than ever before,” said Nancy Tudorache, regional vice president, Canada of GBTA. “It is important, however, that the government also commit to align any future travel restrictions due to possible future variants, with international best practices so that Canadians that want to do business abroad, and those that want to come and do business in Canada, can do so in a predictable manner that supports our overall economic recovery.”
According to GBTA Canada data, the pandemic and associated travel restrictions at the height of the pandemic, resulted in nearly a 90 percent decrease in business travel that negatively affected 600,000 jobs and reduced spending in Canada by CAD $2.9 billion per month.
“We remain committed to working with public leaders and officials to develop practices and policies in Canada that will help us recover the missed opportunities and related losses to Canadian businesses and the national economy,” Tudorache added.
For more information, visit travel.gc.ca.
A version of this story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
Related Stories
Niagara Falls Convention Centre Renamed After Destination
GBTA Endorses Toulouse Declaration
Muir, Autograph Collection Debuts in Halifax
GBTA Urges Consistency on Validity Period of COVID Certificates