Today, the Government of Canada announced that, effective June 20, it will suspend vaccination requirements for domestic and international travel, for the federally regulated transportation sector, and for federal government employees.
While the suspension of the vaccination requirement reflects an improvement in the public health situation in Canada, COVID-19 continues to evolve and circulate in Canada and around the world. In this context, and because vaccination rates and control of the virus in other countries vary considerably, current vaccination requirements at the border will remain in place. This will reduce the potential impact of international travel on our health care system and provide additional protection against any future variants. Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, will remain in place and will be enforced throughout air and rail travel.
Suspension of vaccination requirement for domestic and international travel
As of June 20, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. (EDT), vaccination will no longer be required to board a plane or train in Canada.
This change does not impact border measures which require all travellers entering Canada to continue to meet entry requirements, including the vaccination requirement.
Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, still apply and compliance will be verified during the travel by passengers on planes or trains.
Given the unique nature of cruise ships, such as passengers being in close contact with each other for extended periods of time, COVID-19 vaccination remains mandatory for passengers and crew on board cruise ships.
Strict public health requirements will still need to be met on cruise ships.
Federally Regulated Transportation Workers
Effective June 20, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine sectors will no longer be required to have mandatory vaccination policies in place for their employees.
Employers will be responsible for establishing practices for returning to work.
Additionally, the Government of Canada will no longer move forward with proposed regulations to make vaccination mandatory in all federally regulated workplaces.
Mask Wearing Requirements
Travelers on federally regulated planes and trains must always wear a mask throughout their entire journey, except for brief periods (e.g., when eating or drinking).
Passengers on board cruise ships will have to comply with mask requirements and other hygiene measures imposed by the crew, whether they are foreign or internal travelers.
Wearing a mask is the simplest, most visible, and least expensive measure to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Studies show that wearing a mask helps reduce the spread of the disease, especially in closed spaces or areas with poor ventilation. Public health experts continue to recommend wearing a mask in crowded spaces and indoors.
Science-Based Decision Making
Thanks to a successful vaccination campaign, 32 million eligible Canadians have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The Government of Canada’s decision to suspend the mandatory vaccination requirement for the domestic transportation sector was informed by key indicators, including:
the evolution of the virus;
the epidemiological situation and modeling (stabilization of infections and hospitalizations across the country);
vaccine science;
Canada's high COVID-19 vaccination rates.
The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate measures and will not hesitate to make adjustments based on the most recent public health recommendations and scientific data to protect the safety and security of Canadians and the transportation system.
Entry requirements for travel to Canada from abroad remain in place
Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents returning from international destinations who do not qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption must still present a valid pre-entry test result, undergo molecular testing on day 1 and day 8, and quarantine for 14 days.
In addition, all travellers entering Canada must submit their mandatory information through ArriveCAN within 72 hours of arriving in Canada. Travellers who arrive in Canada without completing their ArriveCAN submission may be required to undergo molecular testing on day 1 and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. They may also be subject to fines or other enforcement measures, regardless of their vaccination status.
Remote communities
With the suspension of the mandatory vaccination requirement for domestic and international travel, testing accommodations for remote communities are no longer required. The Government of Canada will continue to work with communities, Indigenous groups, provinces and territories, and operators to support remote communities as the pandemic evolves.
Foreign nationals
Vaccination requirements for foreign nationals to enter Canada remain unchanged at this time. Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated remain prohibited from entering Canada. With the suspension of the mandatory vaccination requirement for domestic travel, unvaccinated foreign nationals will still be able to depart Canada by plane or train.
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