Maple News reports that as Canada navigates a troubling third wave of COVID-19, federal officials are signaling that it’s not yet time to consider resuming international travel. Although current pandemic-related travel restrictions are scheduled to expire on April 21, an extension of at least 30 days is now increasingly likely.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu urged Canadians to postpone international travel plans, citing rising case numbers and mounting pressure on healthcare systems across the provinces. “Now is not the time to consider international travel,” Hajdu stated during an April 6 press briefing.
The criteria for adjusting Canada’s border measures include a range of epidemiological and infrastructure-related benchmarks. “We monitor various metrics, including domestic spread, the capacity of provinces and territories to manage their caseloads, and the global situation,” Hajdu explained.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, echoed these concerns. She emphasized that authorities must ensure Canada’s healthcare system can handle potential risks before lifting any border measures. “Monitoring ICU capacity and the ability to manage hospitalizations remain key considerations,” Tam noted. “Operational readiness, such as testing capacity at points of entry, is also critically important.”
While some countries have adopted vaccine passports to facilitate safer international movement, Canada is taking a cautious approach. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government is closely observing international developments and listening to public health experts before deciding on similar measures domestically.
“We are evaluating the evidence and consulting with our healthcare experts to understand what policies are appropriate for vaccinated individuals, including those vaccinated with vaccines not yet approved in Canada,” Trudeau said in French.
He reiterated that any relaxation of travel rules must be done carefully to avoid jeopardizing Canada’s pandemic response. “We have to get this right, and we will be guided by science every step of the way.”
With vaccine rollouts underway but concerns over variants and healthcare capacity growing, Canadians should brace for continued restrictions. Maple News will continue monitoring Canada’s border policies and provide timely updates.