Ottawa, Europe Brief News – Canada decided to end all COVID-19 restrictions for travellers starting from October 1.
The removed restrictions include vaccination and masking requirements for flights and trains.
The move aims to boost the Canadian travel industry, already booming after months of lull during the pandemic.
“As Canadians and international visitors look to make travel plans, the long-awaited removal of all remaining measures effective Oct. 1, 2022 will further expedite recovery for our industry and the Canadian economy,” Canada’s second-largest carrier, WestJet Airlines, said in a statement.
The decision to end restrictions was based on Canada’s vaccination rate, the availability of newer vaccines and treatments and data showing the country had passed the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus infections, the government said.
“We’ll continue to follow the latest available science and do whatever is necessary to protect your health,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet.
More than 90 percent of Canadians over age 12 have taken the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine. This month, Canada authorised Moderna Inc’s bivalent COVID-19 shots for adults, the country’s first Omicron-adapted vaccine.
“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,” Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said.
