The Canadian Government has stated that it will be removing the vaccine requirement for all travelers and making the ArriveCan app optional, as of October 1, 2022.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says that effective October 1, 2022, all travelers, irrespective of citizenship, will no longer have to:
- Submit information with regard to public health through the ArriveCAN app or website
- Provide vaccination proof
- Go through pre- or on-arrival testing
- Perform COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation
- Monitor as well as report if they develop COVID-19 signs or symptoms upon arrival in the country
In addition, masks will no longer be necessary on flights or trains within the country. PHAC states the removal of travel restrictions is owing to high vaccination rates death rates, lower hospitalization, and the availability and use of vaccine boosters. The government still strongly recommends that travelers continue to wear masks and keep an eye on their health closely as well.
“Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border,” says Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “However, we expect COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to spread over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination, such as booster doses, and exercise individual public health measures.
ArriveCan to Become Optional
The ArriveCan app will become optional for travelers arriving from other countries. No longer will travelers need to upload their travel plans and vaccination proof onto the app to show CBSA agents.
No Requirements for Domestic Travel
This announcement was anticipated in response to the universal outlook on the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases have been witnessing a drop as more individuals become vaccinated and the virus moves towards being widespread, like the common cold, instead of being an epidemic.
The country has already put off the requirements for vaccination for domestic as well as outbound travel as of last June. At the time, government officials said the suspension of those vaccine mandates was a reflection of the enhanced public health situation, with 90% of the citizens of Canada being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Globally, there have been more than 612 million recorded cases of COVID-19 and over 6 million deaths since the pandemic began. These numbers are probably higher as a lot of individuals do not get tested or else diagnosed.
