Canada immigration news: All those travelling within and out of Canada are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 from today.
The change, announced earlier in November, means a negative PCR test is no longer accepted as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers are covered by an exemption.
Further changes also coming into force include the removal of the negative test requirement for trips of 72 hours or less and an expansion of the list of accepted vaccines.
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“Requiring foreign nationals to be fully vaccinated adds another important layer of protection at the border,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, when the changes were announced on November 19.
“Many foreign nationals and international students arriving in Canada are already fully vaccinated, and the measures announced today will help ensure that Canadians remain protected against COVID-19 as the economy reopens and international travel returns.”
Short Trips Out Of Canada
From today, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours are not required to present a negative PCR test result.
The exemption covers accompanying children under 12 and those who are not vaccinated for medical reasons.
New Vaccines Recognised
Also from today, the list of vaccines recognised by Canada will be updated to match the World Health Organisation’s emergency use list.
The full list reads:
- Pfizer,
- Moderna,
- AstraZeneca
- Johnson & Johnson
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
- COVAXIN.
New Groups Required To be Vaccinated
From January 15, Canada is requiring groups of travellers previously covered by exemptions to be fully vaccinated when entering the country.
Those groups are:
- Those travelling to reunite with family.
- International students aged 18 and older.
- Those with a valid work permit, including most temporary foreign workers (not those working in agriculture and food processing).
- Essential service providers, including truck drivers.
- Professional and amateur athletes.
After January 15 unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers can only enter Canada if they are covered by an exemption.
Exemptions apply to:
- New permanent residents.
- Agricultural and food processing workers.
- Marine crew members.
- Those entering on compassionate grounds.
- Resettling refugees.
- Some children under the age of 18.
Exempt unvaccinated travellers will continue to be subject to testing, quarantine, and other entry requirements.