Maple News reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear that Canada will continue to prioritize fully vaccinated international travelers in its phased border reopening plan. During a recent press conference held on July 8, Trudeau stated that unvaccinated tourists should not expect to be allowed entry to Canada in the near future.
“That’s not going to happen for quite a while,” said Trudeau when asked about the timeline for allowing unvaccinated foreign visitors.
Before the government considers easing restrictions for international visitors who are not fully vaccinated, the focus will remain squarely on expanding access for fully immunized travelers. “The next step will be looking at what measures we can allow for international travellers who are fully vaccinated,” Trudeau explained.
Public health officials are continuing to monitor several key indicators before further loosening border controls, including rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalizations, and vaccination coverage, as well as the percentage of fully vaccinated incoming travelers who test positive for the virus.
The federal government had previously stated that at least 80% of the Canadian population must be fully vaccinated before major changes to border policy would be considered. Canada is on track to reach that milestone by the end of the month.
As of July 5, fully vaccinated travelers who are allowed to enter Canada can skip the mandatory 14-day quarantine and day-eight COVID test, provided they test negative upon arrival and received a Health Canada-approved vaccine. However, general border restrictions remain in place, set to expire or be updated after July 21.
There is growing pressure on the Trudeau government from both domestic stakeholders and American counterparts to present a comprehensive reopening plan. The Canadian tourism and hospitality industries, which have suffered steep losses, are among the most vocal in calling for clarity and action.
At the same time, business organizations are urging the federal government to delay any upcoming election plans until a clear border strategy is implemented. The current Liberal minority government has fueled speculation that a snap election may be called soon—something that could temporarily stall reopening efforts.
While Trudeau did not rule out an election during the July 8 briefing, he reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting businesses and sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
Maple News will continue to track federal policy decisions as Canada navigates its next steps in reopening to international travelers.