On Sept. 7, Canada plans to open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from across the globe, and let them skip the country’s 14-day quarantine requirement.
The rule change is significant, as most non-essential foreign travellers have been barred from entering Canada since the start of the pandemic.
The federal government started to relax the rules last month, when it began allowing fully vaccinated Americans to enter and skip quarantine.
But some are questioning if Canada will actually go ahead with its current plans, because on multiple websites, the government continues to call Sept. 7 the “intended” or “tentative” start date for welcoming foreign travellers from outside the U.S.
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“I’ve been kind of looking online every day, Googling to find out at what point is the government of Canada going to make a decision?” said Andy Green, of Halstead, U.K. He and his husband are set to fly to Vancouver on Sept. 9 for a 10-day vacation.
British couple Andy Green, right, and Robert Hull are arriving in Vancouver for vacation on Sept. 9, two days after Canada plans to start allowing fully vaccinated foreigners to enter the country. (Submitted by Andy Green)
When CBC News asked the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to confirm the start date, it implied Sept. 7 was indeed a go — unless the pandemic suddenly takes a turn for the worse.
“Provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the government of Canada intends to open its borders for discretionary travel by travellers from any country who have been fully vaccinated,” said PHAC spokesperson Mark Johnson in an email.
Canada is currently entering a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, with case numbers trending upward since the end of July. Most of the country’s cases and hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated.
In Alberta, where the infection rate is currently the highest, some physicians are expressing concern over the rising number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
At a news conference in early August, the federal government said it considered fully vaccinated travellers low risk, and that those entering would still have to comply with strict travel rules.
“Only fully vaccinated travellers [are] coming in. They have to get a test before they can even come to Canada,” said Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer.
The government also said it’s ready to revise its travel rules, if necessary.
“We’re taking a precautionary-phased approach to the border reopening,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. “If we see any significant concerns, of course we can adjust accordingly.”
What are the new travel rules?
Although they’re still waiting for the government to confirm the start date, Green said he and his husband are excited about their trip to Vancouver, as they’ve never visited Canada.
“We’ve been pretty much locked down here in the U.K. — the same as you guys have over in Canada,” said Green. “It’s been a … pretty difficult time, so we’re looking forward to travelling.”
Even though the couple is fully vaccinated, Green said he’s still nervous about crossing the border.
“I’m kind of worried that we’re going to turn up at the airport — arrive in Vancouver — and for whatever reason, we’re going to have the wrong documentation.”
Foreign travellers will have to meet a set of requirements to enter Canada and skip quarantine.
First, to be considered fully vaccinated, they must have received all required doses of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine 14 days prior to entering.
All travellers entering Canada must submit their <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#COVID19</a> info, including your vaccination status and test results within 72 hours before your arrival through <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArriveCan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ArriveCan</a>. Learn more about travelling during COVID-19: <a href=”https://t.co/UWAbUqHWDX”>https://t.co/UWAbUqHWDX</a> <a href=”https://t.co/HqZ0aX8KNU”>pic.twitter.com/HqZ0aX8KNU</a>
Land travellers must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of planned entry to Canada. Air travellers must take such a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of their final flight to the country.
There are also special requirements for travellers arriving from India or Morocco. Due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in both countries, the federal government has suspended all direct passenger flights from India until Sept. 21 and from Morocco until Sept. 29.
Currently, air passengers from those countries can only enter Canada if they show proof of a negative test taken in a different country and depart from that country to come to Canada.
New guidelines for unvaccinated children
Unvaccinated foreigners who are minors will be allowed to enter Canada with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but those 12 or older must quarantine.
Unvaccinated children under 12 can skip quarantine, but must follow a strict set of rules for 14 days.
WATCH | Americans reunited with loved ones at Canadian border:
Joyful reunions, long lineups as Canada reopens border to vaccinated Americans
25 days ago
There were many joyful reunions on the first day that Canada allowed discretionary travel from the U.S. for people who are fully vaccinated. But it also resulted in long lineups at land border crossings. 2:57
For example, children must avoid all contact with people, such as seniors, who can be more susceptible to falling seriously ill from COVID-19. Children must also avoid crowded settings, such as schools, camps, daycares, amusement parks and sporting events.
They can, however, visit “essential settings,” such as pharmacies or grocery stores, if wearing a mask and accompanied by their guardians.
According to the government, children — and their parents — who don’t comply could be transferred to a quarantine facility and face fines, or even imprisonment.
Provincial vaccine passports
Another hurdle travellers to Canada may face is having to prove their vaccination status to enter certain venues.
In Quebec and Manitoba, people must show proof of vaccination to gain entry to many non-essential locations and activities. Ontario plans to soon implement a similar vaccine passport program, and British Columbia will put one into effect on Sept. 13.
Jimmy Staveris, left, manager of Dunn’s Famous restaurant in Montreal, scans the QR code of a client as Quebec’s COVID-19 vaccine passport comes into effect. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
For Green and his husband, that means four days after they arrive in Vancouver, they’ll be required to show their vaccination documents, along with their passports, at restaurants, concerts, sporting events and nightclubs.
But Green said he was happy to hear the news.
‘I don’t want to be dining or attending a bar/club with others who are unvaccinated.”
Have questions about this story? We’re answering as many as we can in the comments.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Erling Haaland scored his 100th goal for Manchester City by giving his team the lead against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Norway international reached the landmark figure on his 105th appearance for the defending champion.
Haaland, who has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or award for the best soccer player in the world this year, has been in outstanding form this season with his latest goal taking his total for the campaign to 10 in all competitions.
He has topped the league scoring charts in each of his two seasons at City since joining from Borussia Dortmund for $63 million in 2022.
Haaland’s record is even more impressive considering it was achieved in 100 starts for the club.
Haaland opened the scoring in the ninth minute at Etihad Stadium when running through on goal and firing past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
TORONTO – A late-season Blue Jays news release in 2023 trumpeted the team’s push to the post-season and release of playoff ticket info ahead of the final homestand.
The main hook of this year’s offering was instead promotional in nature. It focused on the possibility of fans breaking a stadium record for most one-dollar hotdogs consumed in a season.
What a difference a year makes.
The Blue Jays, who made the playoffs in three of the last four years, have been under the .500 mark since April 30 and are a good bet to finish last in the American League East.
As the club closes out the season with a weeklong homestand, here’s a look at five talking points.
FACE (S) OF THE FRANCHISE
The long-term plan for infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette has been a hot topic since the homegrown talents emerged as star players in the major leagues.
That won’t change entering an off-season loaded with challenges for general manager Ross Atkins.
Guerrero and Bichette are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2025 campaign. The future plans of the franchise will become much clearer if they put pen to paper on contract extensions.
Guerrero has rediscovered the form that saw him finish second in American League MVP voting in 2021. Bichette, who led the AL in hits in ’21 and ’22, struggled through an injury-plagued year.
RELIEF NEEDED
A bullpen that had a variety of weapons last year was gutted this season due to trades, injuries and underperformance.
It’s arguably the biggest area of need as the Blue Jays look to return to contention next season.
Closer Jordan Romano is coming off elbow surgery, Yimi Garcia was traded, Erik Swanson had a stint in the minors and Tim Mayza’s long run in Toronto ended when he was designated for assignment.
Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera became the main high-leverage options in the second half with middling results.
STARTING ROTATION
A solid core is in place in the team’s starting rotation but more depth — particularly a quality left-hander — would be welcomed.
Veterans Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt provide a dependable 1-2-3 punch at the top.
Yariel Rodriguez is the likely No. 4 man and Bowden Francis, after a remarkable second half, has made a strong case to round out the five-man crew.
Alek Manoah, who missed most of the season after undergoing a hybrid Tommy John surgical procedure, will likely be out until June at the earliest.
TAKING A LOOK
One of the few positives from a last-place positioning in the standings is it allows an opportunity to take a look at rookies, up-and-coming players and recent trade acquisitions.
Players like Spencer Horwitz, Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger and Ernie Clement all had opportunities this season and could be factors in 2025.
BOSS ROSS
The front office will be under intense pressure this off-season before the competitive window with the current nucleus starts to close.
Atkins has been on the job as GM for almost nine years. The Blue Jays’ only playoff victories in that time came in 2016 when they reached the ALCS with a squad largely assembled by predecessor Alex Anthopoulos.
The Blue Jays missed out on two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani last year. Another big swing at a top free agent — think Juan Soto or Alex Bregman — is likely needed this fall.
Big bats are desperately needed for an offence that sagged all season. It would also prove to the fanbase and the baseball world that the Blue Jays are ready to make a major push to be contenders again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2024.
