Though Canada has taken action owing to the rising scare associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by extending its travel restrictions, there’s still hope left. Travel from all countries inclusive of the United States stands restricted right until the 21st of June.

Non-essential travel witnessed a close at the Canadian border and this move took place more than a year back. Since then, a termination to travel restrictions has now become evident for the first time. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister stated on the 18th of May that after 3/4ths of the Canadian population has been successfully vaccinated,  the southern border might reopen its travel with the U.S.

His statement at a recent news conference was highlighted as such, “We’re all eager to get back to normal, but we know that before we get back to normal, cases need to be under control and over 75% of people need to be vaccinated.”

As per the COVID-19 tracker website which was created by a student studying at the University of Saskatchewan, approximately more than 46% of the Canadian population has been vaccinated with their first dose since the pandemic struck.

Reopening of the Canada-U.S. border

As per reports released by Bloomberg, the Canadian government has officially kickstarted preliminary discussions regarding the reopening of the Canada-U.S. border. However, this is just the start and final declarations are not set in stone. This would clearly be dependent upon the number of positive cases within both countries and the total amount of people from both populations that have been vaccinated with both doses.

Bloomberg also reported the potential development of a novel system thanks to which people who received the vaccine would be permitted to travel between the States and Canada without the requirement of taking the COVID-19 test or undergoing quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Those Permitted to Travel to Canada

The country still maintains the regimen of essential travel and trade within its premises. The aforementioned restrictions on travel are only pertaining to non-essential categories inclusive of shopping, entertainment, or tourism purposes.

However, presently there are certain individuals that remain exempt from these travel restrictions, namely, Canadians, those having a permanent residency status as well as their family members. This is also extended to specific foreign workers on a temporary work permit, and International students who are pursuing studies at a Canadian institution having a COVID-19 readiness plan. The rule may also be applicable to protected individuals and those wishing to enter Canada for compassionate reasons.

Necessities for Travelers

Those entering Canada need to reproduce a COVID-19 test indicating the absence of the virus well in advance, i.e., at least 72 hours before their arrival into the country.

Upon their arrival, they would be required to undergo a second test as well. Until the results of this test are released, these individuals would be required to be quarantined at a government-approved hotel for a period of three days.

All those entering Canada have to undergo a 14-day period of strict quarantine. The three days hotel stay could be accounted for along with this mandatory 14-day quarantine period. However, compassionate travelers are permitted to apply for early release from their respective quarantine periods in order to attend a funeral or cater to their loved ones in dire need.