Canada to remove all COVID border, travel measures from Oct 1

A man pushes a baggage cart wearing a mandatory face mask as a “Healthy Airport” initiative is launched for travel, taking into account social distancing protocols to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 23, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

OTTAWA, Sept 26 (Reuters) – Canada will remove all COVID-19 restrictions for inbound travelers from Oct. 1, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements, the government said on Monday.

The decision to drop the restrictions was based on Canada’s vaccination rate, availability of newer vaccines and treatments, as well as scientific modeling that shows the country had passed the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus infections, the government said.

“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,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said.

More than 90% of Canadians over 12 have taken the primary series of a COVID vaccine and earlier this month, Canada authorized Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) bivalent COVID-19 shots for adults, in the country’s first Omicron-adapted vaccine. read more

Duclos said the government was prepared to reinstate restrictions if the need arises.

“Obviously we have no hope to reintroduce some of these measures but if we need to protect the safety of Canadians, we will have to,” he told reporters in Ottawa.

Travelers, regardless of citizenship, will not have to submit health information through the ArriveCAN app or provide proof of vaccination from Saturday.

A requirement for travelers to wear masks on planes and trains would also be dropped, according to the statement.

Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa
Editing by Alistair Bell

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