Here Is The Latest On Travel Restrictions Changes By Canada

Today, Government of Canada provided an update on travel restrictions at Canadian borders due to COVID-19. It was an important update as it was expected that pre-arrival testing might be removed for travel because Health Minister indicated on last week’s COVID update mentioned that they were actively reviewing border measures and will communicate changes this week. However, multiple other signification changes were announced by the government of Canada and this update was provided by following ministers:

1. Health Minister, Jean-Yves Duclos
2. Transport Minister, Omar Alghabra
3. Public Safety Minister, Marco Mendicino
4. Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Randy Boissonnault
5. Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Dominic LeBlanc
6. Government of Canada officials

Beginning February 28, following changes will come into effect for travel:

Pre-Entry Testing: Travelers can now use either; negative COVID19 rapid antigen test or a molecular PCR test. COVID19 antigen test must be authorized in the country where it is done and must be administered by laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service. Furthermore, Antigen test should not be done more than 24 hours of scheduled flight or arrival at the land border. However, rules don’t change for PCR test meaning that it can still be done 72 hours prior to scheduled flight or arrival at the land border.

On Arrival Testing: Canada has switched back to random testing surveillance program as it was prior to Omicron wave which means that now only certain fully vaccinated travelers will be randomly selected on arrival for COVID testing. Furthermore, such travelers will not need to quarantine in orderr to wait for test result.

Previous COVID Infection: Only molecular PCR test will be accepted taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada.

For children aged 12 or less: Restrictions lifted on partially vaccinated children aged 12 or less. This will only be applicable to children travelling with fully vaccinated fully vaccinated adult(s). This means they will no longer need to wait and self isolate before attending school, daycare or day camps. They will no longer be subject to testing and other specific requirements. Unvaccinated travelers will need to continue previously applicable restrictions.

Travel Advisory: Travel health notice changed from level 3 to level 2. Canada is no longer recommending to avoid all kinds of non-essential international travel.

International Airports: Canada has removed NOTAM (Notice to Airmen or Notice to Air Missions). Currently, only 18 airports can receive international flights, but now ban on international flights to all remaining Canadian airports will be lifted.