by Jim Byers
Last updated: 12:20 PM ET, Mon June 21, 2021
As of July 5, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will no longer have to automatically undergo 14-day quarantine or stay at quarantine hotels, The Trudeau government announced today.
The first phase of Canada's approach to easing border measures will begin on July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, for fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada under the current travel restrictions. Which effectively means the changes come in on July 6 for most of the country.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said fully vaccinated travellers also won't have to take a home COVID-19 test eight days after entering the country. Travellers will still have to undergo tests when they arrive in Canada and that fliers have to take a test before their departure.
Travellers will still need to be asymptomatic, and have an adequate quarantine plan in place in case border officials determine a period of self-isolation is required.
Those with only one vaccine dose or no inoculations will still have to book a quarantine hotel for three days while they wait for their test results. If they're negative, they're free to go home or to a private residence and finish the rest of their 14-day quarantine there.
Because they're not eligible for vaccines, children 12 and under will have to quarantine with their parents for 14 days when they come to Canada, Hajdu said.
In order to be considered fully vaccinated, travellers will have had to have received a full series of a vaccine, or a combination of vaccines that have been authorized by Health Canada- Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Johnson & Johnson-at least 14 days prior to entering the country, the government said.
Hajdu said medical issues such as hospitalization rates, ICU admissions, case rates, vaccination rates and the international status of the virus will be carefully monitored as time goes on, but she didn't outline any specifics for when the border might be opened more widely. She promised the government will be upfront and clear with Canadians, but she repeatedly refused to provide any metrics.
"The cautious adjustments announced today are only possible because of the tremendous efforts of Canadians, and additional ones will only happen if we continue to protect each other," the health minister said. "Thank you to all those who have stepped up to get their first and second dose. If you haven't, get vaccinated when it's your turn, follow up for your second dose, and continue to follow public health measures.
"We're vaccinating faster than we originally anticipated. But we also know that with the Delta variant posing significant challenges … we need to be very cautious," Hajdu said.
"We haven't reached the finish line," said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. "There's a lot more work to do."
The Liberal government for weeks has said travel restrictions can begin to be eased once Canada had 75% of adults with one vaccine dose and 20% with two doses. That target was reached on the weekend.
On Monday, however, Blair said the government now wants to get 75% of the population fully vaccinated before it can loosen border restrictions.
"The payoff for Canadians, and for all of us, is when we reach that threshold, we'll be able to accommodate significant easing of the border [restrictions]," Blair told the CBC.
Canada could begin welcoming fully vaccinated visitors when the country reaches the 75% vaccination mark.
"I think that will mean an easing of restrictions on fully vaccinated travelers and the lifting of the current prohibition on non-essential travel," Blair said.
"Our phased approach to easing border measures is guided by facts, scientific evidence, and the advice of our public health experts. In all that we're doing in response to this pandemic, our top priority continues to be the health, safety and security of all Canadians," he added.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Canada's ban on flights from India will continue to July 21, but that flights from Pakistan will be allowed.
"Given the number of COVID-19 cases continue to be very high in India, we have extended our flight restrictions for this country. We will continue to assess the evolving situation and determine appropriate action going forward," Alghabra said.
"This is great for Canadians but this remains short of satisfying the travel and tourism sector," said Frederic Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism at Ryerson University in Toronto. "The borders are still closed and one has to wonder why fully vaccinated foreigners are still not allowed to visit Canada. Retail and tourism businesses continue to close down … and a second summer without international tourists will be very painful for many operators."
Dimanche said he also wants to hear what happens with Canadians and permanent residents who have received one or two of their doses outside the country.
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