The federal government announced today it plans to let fully vaccinated tourists visit Canada again soon.
Ottawa now says that — starting Aug. 9 at 12:01 a.m. ET. — fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in that country will be able to visit Canada without having to quarantine for two weeks.
The government said it plans to allow fully vaccinated travellers from all other countries to enter Canada on Sept. 7.
A government official speaking on background to journalists today said that, as of Aug. 9, children under 12 — who aren’t yet approved to receive a vaccine — will be exempt from the quarantine requirement after entering Canada and can move around with their parents if they follow public health measures.
The official said those children should avoid group settings such as school, camps and daycares — especially indoor ones.
How that restriction applies to tourist destinations remains unclear.
“The key here is for parents or any travellers coming to Canada to understand what are the requirements and plan accordingly,” said the official.
“It is possible that they are attending tourist locations or activities — as long as things are outdoors, I think the risks are limited.”
Proof of vaccination
Foreign visitors would also have to follow provincial and territorial public health measures.
Adults entering will need to present proof (in either English or French) that they’ve received a complete round of one of the vaccines approved for use in Canada. That means two doses of either the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca products, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least 14 days before arriving.
All travellers must use the government’s ArriveCAN portal to submit their information. If they meet the government’s criteria, they will not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.
Travellers will still need to get a COVID-19 molecular test result before they arrive in Canada.
However, the government announced today that it plans to launch a new surveillance program at airports and land border crossings starting Aug. 9. Fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a COVID-19 molecular test.
Travellers arrive at the departures level of the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (David Kawai/The Canadian Press)
The White House has not yet announced a reciprocal deal for Canadians.
“We are continuing to review our travel restrictions. Any decisions about re-opening travel will be guided by our public health and medical experts,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said today.
“We take this incredibly seriously, but we look and are guided by our own medical experts. I wouldn’t look at it through a reciprocal intention.”
Besides the rule change allowing fully vaccinated Americans to cross into Canada, a number of other changes will roll out on Aug. 9.
The government also announced that it’s scrapping the three-night government-authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers on that date.
Quarantine plan still required
The Canadian government shut its border to foreign travellers and implemented strict measures for non-essential workers in March 2020. With COVID-19 case numbers dropping and vaccination rates rising, Ottawa has started already to ease some restrictions.
Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents have been able to skip the 14-day quarantine requirement since earlier this month.
Even if they think they will be exempt, all fully vaccinated travellers will still need to have a quarantine plan in case a border official finds they do not meet the necessary requirements.
Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated travellers will still have to quarantine for 14 days.
As part of its initial COVID-19 prevention measures, the government restricted incoming international flights to just four airports.
Starting Aug. 9, international flights carrying passengers will once again be allowed to land at the following airports: Halifax Stanfield International Airport; Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport; Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport; Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport; and Edmonton International Airport.
A Transport Canada official said the department is working with other airports to resume international flights.
Transport Canada also announced it has extended the notice to airmen that restricts all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India until August 21.
Tim Houston, who is seeking a second term as Nova Scotia premier, said he had no plans to invite Poilievre to join him on the campaign ahead of the Nov. 26 provincial election. He explained the provincial Progressive Conservatives have no formal ties with the Tories in Ottawa — and he made a point of saying he is not a member of the federal party. Experts say it also is because the latest polls suggest Atlantic Canadians have not warmed to Poilievre. (Nov. 5, 2024)
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — It has been a rough few days for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. First, his 19th-ranked Tigers lost to Louisville on Saturday night, then he was told he couldn’t vote Tuesday at his polling place.
Swinney, whose given name is William, explained that the voting system had locked him out, saying a “William Swinney” had already voted last week. Swinney said it was his oldest son, Will, and not him.
“They done voted me out of the state,” Swinney said. “We’re 6-2 and 5-1 (in the Atlantic Coast Conference), man. They done shipped me off.”
Dabo Swinney had to complete a paper ballot and was told there will be a hearing on Friday to resolve the issue.
“I was trying to do my best and be a good citizen and go vote,” he said. “Sometimes doing your best ain’t good enough. You have to keep going though, keep figuring it out.”
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EDMONTON – The judge leading a fatality inquiry into the knockout death of a boxer is recommending changes to how the sport is regulated and how head injuries are monitored.
Timothy Hague, who was 34, competed in a boxing match licensed by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission in June 2017 when his opponent, Adam Braidwood, knocked him unconscious.
Hague came to and was able to walk to the dressing room, where he vomited, and was then taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a large brain bleed.
His condition did not improve, care was withdrawn and Hague died two days after the fight.
Justice Carrie Sharpe with Alberta’s provincial court made 14 recommendations, including that combat sports be overseen by a provincial authority instead of a patchwork of municipal bodies and that there be concussion spotters at every event.
She also recommends that if a fighter receives a blow to the head in a technical knockout, they must provide a brain scan to prove they are fit to compete again.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
