What does this mean? If you are fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Janssen) and meet the requirements for travel – testing, being asymptomatic etc. – then you should be permitted to travel Canada for ‘discretionary’ reasons.
What does that mean!? Until yesterday (or August 7 for US citizens) only ‘non-discretionary’ or essential travel was permitted. You could travel for work, for study, or if you fit an exemption to the general rule against travel to Canada.
What has changed? The requirement for the purpose of travel to be ‘essential’ – in the opinion of the CBSA – is lifted.
What now? Travel is still limited to Canada – the unvaccinated, or those vaccinated with any of the other COVID vaccines (Sinovac, Sinopharm, Vector institute etc.) and partially vaccinated people do not benefit from this change and will continue to have travel limitations.
What to expect? Testing, reporting, delays in travel and on arrival. Probably also some confusion – after all it is the airlines who are implementing these changes.
What to bring? Proof of vaccination and an extra dose of patience!
