The intense restrictions we have seen since the start of the pandemic for people entering Canada have become slightly looser.
Beginning today, if you are eligible to enter the country and have been double vaccinated, you will not be required to quarantine for 14 days or complete a day-8 test.
Individuals eligible to enter the country currently include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act.
Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to submit their digital proof of vaccination using ArriveCAN before arriving at the border.
Some were initially concerned that opportunists may use the loosening of restrictions to exploit the system and enter the country when they should be unable.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is confident this will not happen.
“We have well-established systems in place that look at passports, that look at visas,” stresses Trudeau. “That is not necessarily a concern because we have extraordinarily capable people at the borders to enforce these systems.”
Trudeau adds case counts and vaccination rates are crucial in determining when the border can fully re-open.
“When we start re-opening so Americans and others who are fully vaccinated can enter Canada will depend on the data we collect and on how we can keep Canadians safe.”
A posting in the Canada Gazette suggests the government is looking for at least 75 per cent of Canadians to be fully vaccinated before the border fully reopens.
It’s about 35 per cent right now.
Currently, the border restrictions on non-essential travel remain in place until July 21.
