Passengers boarding planes or trains in Canada will no longer be required to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus from June 20. The government in Ottawa has lifted the vaccine mandate for domestic and outbound travel as infection rates continue to fall.
Rules about inbound travel remain unchanged and mean that non-Canadians must be vaccinated to enter freely. Those who are unvaccinated are required to take tests before and after arrival as well as self-isolate for two weeks.
Face masks remain compulsory for all travellers, unless exempt, including in certain indoor public settings. Those travelling by air are expected to get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to enter the country.
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The domestic and outbound vaccine mandate for over 12s was first introduced on October 30, 2021. Since then, both Canada and the UK have gone through the Omicron wave and seen the number of cases subsequently decrease.
According to Our World in Data, as of June 15 the seven-day rolling average of confirmed Covid-19 cases was 46 in Canada and 189 in the UK. The respective reproduction rates for the virus were measured at 0.86 and 1.51.
What are the travel restrictions for entering Canada?
For vaccinated non-Canadians (two doses minimum):
- Have no Covid-19 symptoms
- Submit mandatory information via ArriveCAN (app or website), including proof of vaccination in English or French
- Wear a face mask during the flight and in airport terminals, unless exempt
- Take a test on arrival, if selected
For unvaccinated non-Canadians:
- Have no Covid-19 symptoms
- (If aged 12 or older) Present proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure; a negative antigen test taken no more than one calendar day before departure; or a positive PCR test received 10 to 180 days before departure
- Submit mandatory information via ArriveCAN (app or website), including: a credible quarantine plan; confirmation of a negative pre-entry test (or positive test taken 10 to 180 days before entering Canada); and Covid-19 symptom self-assessment
- Wear a face mask during the flight and in airport terminals, unless exempt
- Take a test on arrival
- Take a test on day eight
- Self-isolate for 14 days
More information about entry requirements can be found on the UK Foreign Office website.
