Canada has announced the easing of entry restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers with effect from February 28 in view of declining COVID-19 infections in the country. According to officials, the country will allow travellers with a rapid antigen test of a molecular one for travel, noting that the antigen tests are cheaper than molecular tests and provide results within minutes.

Addressing a briefing federal government ministers stated that the new measures will include random testing for vaccinated travellers entering Canada.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos further affirmed that Canada will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation as well as fully vaccinated Canadians making short trips (less than 72 hours) abroad, including the United States.

"These changes are possible not only because we have passed the peak of Omicron, but because Canadians across the country have listened to the science and to experts," Duclos said.

Canada's health sector has vaccinated about 80 percent of the eligible population with both doses of COVID-19 vaccines, while more than 40 percent have received their booster dose.

The government is also updating the global travel advisory for Canadians. Previously, the government advised against all non-essential travel. However, as per the updated rules, the government is only urging citizens to take precautions during their travel.

"Though today's announcement brings us one step closer to where our industry needs to be, in requiring pre-departure rapid antigen tests, the government missed an opportunity to align with other international jurisdictions that removed pre-departure test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers," the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable industry group said in a statement.

Suzanne Acton-Gervais, interim president of the National Airlines Council of Canada, welcomed the new decision, noting that it is a step forward for travellers, industry, and the Canadian economy which relies on trade and tourism.

A number of Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario, have announced relaxations in restrictions put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections in the region.

On Monday, Ontario said it will speed up its plan to remove vaccination proof requirements and ease pandemic-related capacity limits for many businesses. Furthermore, the western province of Alberta has withdrawn mask requirements for school children. 

SOURCE: Khaleej Times

LINK: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus/covid-19-omicron-canada-to-ease-travel-requirements-as-virus-cases-decline