Canada is the latest country to drop all its COVID-19 restrictions for travelers, starting October 1. Meanwhile, the government said on Monday that this will include vaccination and masking requirements for flights and public transport.

Canada dropping COVID-19 travel restrictions

Now is the time to plan a vacation in Canada and take advantage of all the amazing scenery, modern cities and more as the country eases its strict COVID-19 restrictions.

Previously, Canada was among the last countries that still imposed strict COVID-19 restrictions for visitors. In fact, the country joins Hong Kong and Japan which have also taken steps after taking extra caution before easing its strict regulations. In Canada’s case, vaccination and masking requirements will be dropped from October 1 on flights and public transport.

Dropping these restrictions is likely to boost tourism in Canada, which is already booming after months of quiet during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Canadian carriers have also been pushing for an end to mask mandates on flights, while citing thousands of incidents of non-compliance this year alone.

Canada’s second-largest airline, WestJet Airlines, made a statement

As Canadians and international visitors look to make travel plans, the long-awaited removal of all remaining measures effective October 1, 2022 will further expedite recovery for our industry.

Passed the peak of COVID-19 cases

The latest decision to drop travel restrictions is based on the vaccination rate in the country. According to the government, it is further based on the availability of newer vaccines and treatments. Moreover, data shows that the country has passed the peak of the latest wave of COVID-19 infections.

Reportedly, more than 90 percent of Canadians over the age of 12 have received the primary vaccination course. Moreover, in September, the country authorized Moderna’s (MRNA.O) bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations for adults, which is Canada’s first Omicron-adapted vaccine.

CBC quotes Canada’s Health Minister, Jean-Yves Duclos as saying:

Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border.

The minister added that the Canadian government is, however, prepared to reinstate restrictions if required. At a press conference in Ottawa, he said:

 

Obviously, we have no hope to reintroduce some of these measures but if we need to protect the safety of Canadians, we will have to.

How will changes affect visitors to Canada?

Travelers visiting Canada, regardless of citizenship, will no longer need to submit health information via the ArriveCAN app. Moreover, they will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination from October 1.

Travelers on planes and trains will no longer be required to wear masks. Moreover, passengers on cruise ships and crew members will also no longer be subject to vaccine requirements or COVID-19 testing.

Other countries easing back on regulations

It was earlier reported that Hong Kong will be easing its travel restrictions from next week. Meanwhile, Japan, a country that has taken an abundance of caution during the pandemic, will also reopen to mass tourism in October 2022.

Moreover, the Netherlands also recently dropped all its travel restrictions. Besides this, many cruise lines are also taken similar steps, gradually dropping testing and vaccination requirements for passengers.