by Jim Byers
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Sun July 25, 2021
International passengers coming into Canada's two biggest airports are being split into different lines, depending on their vaccination status.
"Passengers entering Canada from the U.S. or another international destination may be split into vaccinated and non/partially-vaccinated queues prior to reaching Canada Customs," Beverly MacDonald, Senior Advisor of Communications at Toronto Pearson told CTV News Toronto.
"This is a measure to help streamline the border clearance process," MacDonald told the CBC. "There are different entry requirements for vaccinated and non/partially vaccinated travellers, which have been broadly communicated by the Government of Canada."
"We know that the arrivals experience is different for passengers than it was in pre-pandemic times," MacDonald said. "We appreciate passengers' patience as we work with all of our partners to implement Government of Canada requirements for international air travel."
News 1130 Vancouver says Vancouver International Airport/YVR is doing the same thing.
"For vaccinated passengers, if they meet the criteria of having had a Canadian-approved vaccine, at least 14 days prior to travel, then they don't have to do the two weeks of quarantine upon arrival into Canada," said Robyn McVicker, Vice President of Passenger Journey at Vancouver International. "Additionally, there's no longer a government-approved hotel that they have to stay at."
McVicker said arriving passengers who aren't fully vaccinated must set up 14-day quarantine plans with airport staff. People who only have one dose will be considered unvaccinated, she said.
As of July 5, fully vaccinated Canadians and others allowed into the country no longer have to undergo quarantine. As of August 9, Canada will allow double vaccinated American citizens and permanent U.S. residents to enter without quarantine or mandatory testing, although there will be random testing carried out for COVID-19.
Topics From This Article to Explore
