Canada Ending All Covid Border And Travel Restrictions On Oct 1

Today the Government of Canada announced that it will be removing all Covid-19 travel entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine and isolation requirements for all travelers entering Canada, as of October 1, 2022.

Effective October 1, 2022, all travelers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:

• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
• provide proof of vaccination;
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
• carry out Covid-19-related quarantine or isolation;
• monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of Covid-19 upon arriving to Canada.

“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. However, we expect Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their Covid-19 vaccination, including booster doses and exercise individual public health measures. I also thank the dedicated public health officers and frontline staff at our land borders and airports who have worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of people in Canada for the last two years,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s minister of health.

Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:

• undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
• wear masks on planes and trains.

The press release states that “The removal of border measures has been facilitated by a number of factors, including modelling that indicates that Canada has largely passed the peak of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 fuelled wave, Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, as well as the availability and use of vaccine boosters (including new bivalent formulation), rapid tests, and treatments for Covid-19.” It also states that although the masking requirement is being lifted, all travellers are strongly recommended to wear high quality and well-fitted masks during their journeys.

“Since the start, our Government has taken the necessary steps to keep Canadians safe in the face of a global pandemic. Covid-19 border measures were always meant to be temporary and we are making adjustments based on the current situation because that’s what Canadians expect. I want to thank CBSA officers who are at the front line facilitating travel, supporting our economy, and ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” said Marco Mendicino, the minister of Public Safety.

Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travelers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.

While travellers will no longer have to submit their quarantine and vaccination information through ArriveCAN, they can continue to use the optional Advance Declaration feature in ArriveCAN (free as a mobile app or on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website) to save time at the airport by submitting their customs and immigration declaration in advance of arrival.

“Canada’s travel measures successfully mitigated the full impact of Covid-19 for travelers and workers in the transportation sector, and helped keep communities safe. Thanks to Canadians who rolled up their sleeves and got vaccinated, we are able to take this great step towards easing measures and returning to normal,” said Omar Alghabra, Canada’s minister of transport.