Canada to start relaxing rules for fully vaccinated travellers

The Government of Canada today announced the first phase of its approach to easing the rules for travellers entering Canada.

Starting July 5 at 11:59 pm EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are allowed to enter Canada will not be required to quarantine for 14 days or to take an additional COVID-19 test on Day 8 after they arrive in Canada. Additionally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine – or combination of vaccines – at least 14 days before entering Canada. Currently, vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada include Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Travellers must provide documentation of their vaccinations in English, French or with a certified translation, and meet all other mandatory requirements including having a negative COVID-19 test result before travelling and getting a test upon their arrival in Canada.

Fully vaccinated travellers must also not have any symptoms, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada.

Travellers must also still present a suitable quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine if it is determined at the border that they do not meet all the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine.

Even if they are exempt from quarantine, all travellers entering Canada will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, and 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, and they must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements.