Upcoming removal of pre-travel COVID-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers
The government of Canada is taking another step to reduce the pre-travel requirements for fully vaccinated travellers when entering the country. It has been announced that as of April 1, 2022 fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to undergo a pre-arrival COVID-19 test.
As noted in the news release, the removal of the pre-travel COVID-19 test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers will be coming into force as of April 1, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EST. This is another step in the phased approach the government has taken in loosening the travel restrictions. This phased approach began on February 28, 2022 in recognition that the country is now living with COVID-19 and has passed the peak of the Omicron outbreak.
The pre-travel COVID-19 test requirement has been in place for well over a year as it was initially brought into effect on January 7, 2021. This requirement began to be loosened as of February 28, 2022 when travellers were provided with the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result or a molecular test result to meet pre-entry requirements. The current announcement is now eliminating the need for any pre-travel COVID-19 test as of April 1, 2022 for fully vaccinated travellers.
Unvaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada will still need to provide an accepted pre-entry COVID-19 test result after April 1, 2022. The acceptable pre-entry COVID-19 test results for unvaccinated travellers includes:
- A valid professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before your scheduled flight or entry to Canada. This test must have been observed or administered by an accredited lab or testing provider;
- A valid negative molecular test taken outside of Canada within 72 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure time to Canada or your arrival at the land border or marine port of entry;
- A previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before your initially scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. Positive antigen test results will not be accepted to meet this requirement. You must also no longer have symptoms of COVID-19 when travelling.
The upcoming removal of the COVID-19 pre-travel entry requirement for fully vaccinated travellers will likely be a welcome reprieve for many. This will not only provide more flexibility in planning travel and remove the stress associated with scheduling pre-travel COVID-19 tests within set periods of time prior to travel to Canada, but it will also likely result in savings to those who have travelled outside of Canada as COVID-19 tests can be quite expensive.
While Canada is continuing to loosen the travel restriction requirements, we have seen the country revert to more stringent restrictions when outbreaks are expected to occur so it is important to remain up to date on the requirements when you are travelling.
Our immigration group would be pleased to advise on these travel requirements.
This client update is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about the above, please contact a member of our Immigration group.
Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.
Archive
On April 21, 2015, the Nova Scotia government declared that the new Pension Benefits Act (passed in 2011) and new Pension Benefits Regulations will come into effect on June 1, 2015. The new Regulations follow the new Act and draft Regulations summarized in…
Read MoreAn uninsured driver strikes another vehicle, injuring its occupants. These injured persons obtain a settlement from their own motor vehicle insurer (pursuant to Section D of the standard policy), and they assign their action against…
Read MoreThe Editors’ Corner Michelle Black and Sean Kelly Hello! We are very pleased to be the new Atlantic Employers’ Counsel (AEC) editors. We look forward to bringing you what we hope you will find to be interesting…
Read MoreFollowing several Supreme Court of Canada decisions in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the law of constructive dismissal was well defined – or so many thought. The Court’s decision in Potter v. New Brunswick Legal…
Read MoreIn our May 20, 2014 client update, we reported on significant changes affecting automobile insurance in Prince Edward Island, including changes to no-fault benefits available under section B and changes to the damages cap for minor…
Read More2014 LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT ATLANTIC CANADA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE As we move forward in 2015, we know our region’s employers will want to be aware of new legislation that has passed or could soon pass that…
Read MoreOn January 28, 2015, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance issued a bulletin in Nova Scotia. The 2015 minor injury cap has been set at $8,352, an increase of 1.7 per cent over 2014.…
Read MoreIn preparing for the 2015 proxy season, you should be aware of some regulatory changes that may impact disclosure to and interactions with your shareholders. This update highlights what is new in the 2015 proxy…
Read MoreDuring the Fall 2014 legislative sitting, the Province of Prince Edward Island passed legislation that results in significant changes to the Lands Protection Act. The amendments have just been proclaimed and were effective January 1, 2015.…
Read MoreThe Editor’s Corner Clarence Bennett This issue focuses on the family and the interaction between employment and family obligations. As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to extend Seasons Greetings to all of…
Read More