Reports Say Canada Will Drop Vaccine Border Rules, Make ArriveCan Optional

by Bruce Parkinson
Last updated: 8:22 AM ET, Wed September 21, 2022

Multiple news sources are reporting that the federal government plans to drop COVID-19 vaccine border requirements by September 30 and make the ArriveCan application optional.

Government sources told CTV News and other outlets that the government is expected to make the policy change by the end of the month, and will also end the practice of random COVID-19 testing for travellers.

The federal government said in late June that existing border restrictions would remain in place until at least September 30. The latest reports suggest the federal government may simply choose not to extend the measures.

In June, the feds began allowing unvaccinated Canadians to board planes and trains heading to either domestic or international locations, but they were still required to follow testing and quarantine requirements when coming home from international destinations. Foreign nationals coming to Canada are still required to be vaccinated in order to enter.

The move comes after calls from some aviation industry leaders and opposition MPs for the government to drop its outstanding COVID-19 border rules and scrap the ArriveCan app completely.

It remains unknown whether the United States will follow Canada's lead. Non-U.S. citizens travelling to the country are still required to be fully vaccinated.

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