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If Australians are ever allowed out of their own country, they may visit Canada, which is on track to open up its borders to fully vaccinated travellers, starting in just seven weeks’ time, “provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable”.

The Canadian Government has confirmed it plans to open Canada’s borders on 7 September 2021 to all fully vaccinated travellers who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements.

The Canada-accepted vaccines are AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen. The first two are the most common in Australia, where vaccination has been creeping along at a snail’s pace but is now picking up, with about 35% of eligible Australians having received one dose of vaccine and nearly 14% fully vaccinated.

Canada, in contrast, leads G20 countries in vaccination rates, with approximately 80% of eligible Canadians vaccinated with their first dose and over 50% fully vaccinated.

As a first step of its new entry program, starting 9 August 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel. This preliminary step allows for the Government of Canada to fully deploy the adjusted border measures ahead of 7 September 2021, and recognises the many close ties between Canadians and Americans.

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada

Subject to limited exceptions, all travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.

From 9 August 2021, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at the following five additional Canadian airports:

  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
  • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport;
  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport;
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport; and
  • Edmonton International Airport.

Passengers are already allowed to land at:

  • Montréal-Trudeau International Airport;
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport;
  • Calgary International Airport;
  • Vancouver International Airport.

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry Covid-19 molecular test result. However from 9 August 2021, the Government of Canada is adjusting its post-arrival testing strategy for fully vaccinated travellers. Using a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 Covid-19 molecular test. There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

This strategy allows the Government of Canada to continue monitoring variants of concern in Canada and vaccine effectiveness. Using these layers of protection, the Government of Canada can monitor the Covid-19 situation in Canada, respond quickly to threats, and guide decisions on restricting international travel.

Finally, with the advent of increased vaccination rates in Canada, declining Covid-19 cases and reduced pressure on health care capacity, the three-night government authorised hotel stay requirement will be eliminated for all travellers arriving by air as of 12:01am EDT on 9 August 2021. Fully vaccinated travellers who meet the requirements will be exempt from quarantine; however, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.

“Thanks to the incredible progress that Canadians have made in our fight against the pandemic, we are now able to take the next step in Canada’s gradual reopening of the border,” said Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

“We look forward to welcoming fully vaccinated Americans shortly, followed by travellers from the rest of the world in early September. Not only will this make a big difference for Canada’s travel and tourism industry and all those whose jobs depend on it, it will also make it easier for those with a Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter to come to Canada and play a role in our recovery from the pandemic.”

Written by Peter Needham