The Canadian government said on Wednesday that it has decided to extend all existing Covid-related border restrictions for travellers entering Canada until at least September 30.
The restrictions include a 14-day mandatory quarantine for anyone who has not been completely vaccinated, which in this case means having received the primary series of two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine approved by Canadian health officials.
It is important highlighting that the existing rules will apply to Indian visitors arriving in Canada, and the two major vaccinations used in India, Covishield and Covaxin, are both approved for travel in Canada.
Those who are not completely vaccinated will be tested on the first and eighth days after entering Canada.
Temporary Suspension of Mandatory Random Testing
The Canadian Govt has also extended the suspension of mandatory random testing at all airports until mid-July for passengers who are completely vaccinated.
The temporary suspension of random testing comes into effect on June 11, 2022, to let airports focus on simplifying their processes while the Government of Canada shifts COVID-19 testing for air travellers outside of airports to designated test provider shops, and pharmacies, or via virtual appointment.
The move was made in an effort to cut airport wait times following complaints of frequent delays.
The mandatory random testing at land border ports of entry remains unchanged. Unless exempt, travellers who do not qualify as completely vaccinated will be tested on Day 1 and Day 8 of their 14-day quarantine.
Moving to test away from airports will allow Canada to accommodate rising traveller numbers while still monitoring and responding to new varieties of concern or changes in the epidemiological picture.
Border testing is an important measure in Canada’s identification and surveillance of COVID-19, and it has been critical in slowing the virus’s spread. Data from the testing programme are used to determine the current level and trends in COVID-19 importation into Canada.
Continue to Use ArriveCAN
With rare exceptions, all travellers must continue to use ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) to provide necessary travel information within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada and/or before boarding a cruise ship heading for Canada.
Additional efforts are being made to improve ArriveCAN compliance, which is presently at 95% for travellers arriving by land and air combined.
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