Canada Relaxes Travel Rules For International Passengers Starting Today

As Covid-19 cases across the world continue to decline, the Govt of Canada has started easing entry for fully vaccinated international travelers starting Today, 28th February 2022 by allowing them to undergo a rapid antigen test for travelers instead of a molecular one.

Antigen testing is less expensive than molecular tests and can deliver results in minutes.

Moreover, all fully vaccinated travelers won’t need a pre-arrival PCR test to enter Canada and unvaccinated children under 12 won’t need to quarantine. The federal government will also be removing the advisory against non-essential travel.

The new travel protocol which includes random testing for vaccinated visitors entering Canada was announced at a briefing by federal government officials.

Also Read: Planning To Visit Dubai? Must Check The Updated Travel Requirements For International Passengers

Updated Travel Rules For International Passengers To Canada

Starting, 28th Feb 2022, all travelers over the age of 5 can provide a negative rapid antigen test result for travel to Canada. The antigen test must be taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure, but results can be delivered in as little as 15 minutes.

Travelers can continue to present a negative molecular test, taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure, or provide proof of a positive molecular test result taken at least 11 and no more than 180 days prior to entry.

Moreover, arrival testing will no longer be a mandatory requirement for fully vaccinated customers, but rather they may be selected for random testing. Customers selected for random testing will also no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test results.

It must be noted that all passengers (regardless of how long they were away from Canada) will continue to be required to submit their mandatory information on the ArriveCAN app.

Also Read: IndiGo, SpiceJet Announced Flights Between India And Thailand Under Air Bubble Starting March 10: Check Flight Schedule, Travel Guidelines

Travelers Connecting in Canada?

• If you’re a fully vaccinated Canadian or a foreign national: Regardless of vaccination status, if you have a domestic connection, you can complete your journey and take the test and quarantine at your final destination.

• If you are unvaccinated Canadian: You are not permitted to continue onward domestically by air. Unvaccinated Canadians will continue to be tested on arrival, on Day 8, and must quarantine for 14 days. Border Services Officers and public health officials will provide direction to each traveler upon entry to Canada.

• Exemptions: There are limited exemptions (e.g., crew members, essential travelers) from the pre-departure test requirement. More information can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.