The federal government is dropping its COVID-19 travel restrictions starting October 1, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Canada to drop COVID-19 border rules

Sep 26, 2022 | 11:58 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Canada has announced it intends to remove the last remaining border and travel measures effective October 1, 2022.

According to a news release, the government says the decision to remove travel restrictions was for a number of reasons, including high national levels of vaccination, lower hospitalizations, and the availability of boosters and rapid tests.

Border measures that will no longer be in effect as of Saturday, October 1 include:

• Submitting public health information via the ArriveCAN app or website.
• Providing proof of vaccination.
• Undergoing pre or on-arrival testing.
• COVID-19 related quarantine or isolation.
• Monitoring or reporting symptoms after arriving in Canada.

Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements on October 1, 2022, meaning passengers will no longer be required to undergo health checks for air and rail travel, or wear masks on planes and trains.

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Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos thanked airport staff and border agents for their tireless work, as well as Canadians for choosing to get vaccinated.

“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,” said Duclos. “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.”

Duclos did stress, however, that individuals should not travel if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and anyone coming into Canada with symptoms should speak to a flight attendant or border services agent upon arrival. They may be required to undergo further medical assessments, as COVID-19 is one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act.

READ MORE: Federal government unlikely to declare victory on COVID as travel restrictions loosen