Canada Starts Lifting Border Restrictions For Fully Vaccinated Travellers
The Government of Canada officially announced the first phase of easing border measures for travellers entering Canada. The new border measures will come into effect July 5, 2021.
As of July 5, 2021, all persons who are currently authorized to enter the country, including international students (study permit holders), AND are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, will no longer be required to quarantine at a government-designated hotel upon arrival or take a Covid-19 test on day-8.
To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson) at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.
Fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival and stay in isolation until the test comes back negative. All other mandatory requirements, including pre- and on-arrival testing are still required.
Fully vaccinated travellers must also be free of symptons, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada. They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine.
Even if fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to quarantine, they will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada.
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures. They must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada. Unvaccinated air travellers must also book a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada.
Click here to read the Government of Canada’s full release >
This is very exciting news for all the students that are eager to travel to Canada. We have all been waiting for the next steps in the reopening of the country and we will keep updating as further updates will be announced. Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding the latest update. To learn more about VGC’s Covid-19 safety protocols and procedures follow this link.