Maple News reports that Canada is preparing to ease quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers who are already exempt from the current travel restrictions. Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced that those who have received their second dose of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arriving in Canada may be allowed to bypass the full 14-day quarantine requirement.
The revised measure is expected to roll out in early July, as long as COVID-19 case numbers remain on a downward trend. Although an exact date has not been confirmed, Hajdu indicated that the first week of July could serve as a target. Discussions are ongoing between the federal government, provincial authorities, and the departments of public safety and immigration to finalize the plan.
Only vaccines authorized by Health Canada will be eligible under this exemption. At present, Canada recognizes vaccines produced by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna. Health Minister Hajdu also noted that other vaccines are under review by Health Canada for potential future approval.
While the changes signal progress in Canada’s pandemic recovery, incoming travelers will still be required to meet certain conditions. These include presenting a negative PCR COVID-19 test result upon entering the country and demonstrating a suitable quarantine plan while awaiting test outcomes. If the test returns negative, the traveler could be released from quarantine within a day.
These developments come after over a year of stringent travel regulations introduced during Canada’s March 2020 lockdown. The three-day mandatory hotel quarantine, added in February 2021, has faced increasing criticism. In May, Canada’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommended ending the hotel quarantine, highlighting a lack of clear evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously stated that Canada would take a cautious, phased approach to reopening its borders. Recent public sentiment has leaned toward caution, but the federal government is showing greater willingness to begin loosening entry requirements as vaccination coverage grows.
An official date for the broader reopening of Canada’s international borders has not yet been released.