Canada made two major changes to travel measures. As per media release by the Government of Canada, following 2 updates were made on Canada’s border measures as we quote:
- Removing, effective January 28, 2022, the modified pre-departure test requirements for travellers coming to Canada on direct or indirect flights from India or Morocco.
- Travellers from India and Morocco will no longer be required to obtain a valid negative pre-departure COVID-19 test from a third country. All travellers entering Canada are now subject to the same pre-entry test requirements, regardless of their departure country.
- Ending the temporary exemption from pre-entry, arrival, and Day-8 testing and quarantine requirements for residents and essential workers of British Columbia who have to travel by land to or through the United States for essential food and supplies. This will end on January 31, 2022, at 20:59 PST.
Previously, Canada adjusted border measures on January 15 where they made vaccination mandatory for certain travellers. Click here for list of travelers who will be denied entry if they are not vaccinated.
For India: Requirement for a pre-departure negative molecular test result from an Indian airport lab within 18 hours of departure has been removed from the travel page for India on January 27. As a reminder, all the incoming travelers to Canada still need the standard requirement of a molecular test taken within 72 hours of departure.
For Morocco: The requirement of a pre-departure negative molecular test documented in a test certificate issued by the Government of Morocco and recognized by the European Commission was also removed from travel requirements on January 27.
Why Canada Eased Testing Requirements From India & Morocco:
As per Public Health Agency of Canada, these relaxations has been done because recent rates of positivity among travellers from the India and Morocco have been similar to or lower than those of other travellers. So, based on this assessment, there is no longer a rationale to apply enhanced pre-entry test requirements to these countries.
“Safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians is always at the forefront of any decision our government makes in the fight against COVID-19 and its variants. We continue to collaborate with air operators, and their hard work in implementing the ongoing changes to air travel requirements has greatly contributed to the safety and security of Canadians and our transportation system. The epidemiological situation in Canada and abroad remains closely monitored and our officials and experts continue to evaluate the measures in place and recommend necessary adjustments to keep Canadians and our transportation system safe and secure.”
The Honourable Omar Alghabra (Minister of Transport)
“Border measures continue to be an important part of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and serve to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Like every other element of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 response, border measures are informed by available data, scientific evidence and monitoring of the epidemiological situation both in Canada and internationally.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos (Minister of Health)
“The safety and security of Canadians is our government’s top priority. As we fight this wave of the pandemic, we are maintaining our measured and responsible policies at the border. We will continue to take decisive 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)