Canadian Government further eases the Travel Measures with an enhanced Healthcare status

The government of Canada continues to relax the travel and border related measures as the maple leaf country, transition away from the challenging phase of global pandemic. As per the Canadian immigration department, the recent data shows that the latest wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant has passed its peak in Canada.

Hence, now the government of Canada will adjust its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2 with effect from 28 February 2022. Find below the list of measures relaxed by the government

Travel measures easing from 28 February 2022

The transition announced by the government has become possible due to some key factors, comprising high vaccination rates of Canada, the growing availability and use of rapid tests to identify infection, declining hospitalization rates and rising domestic availability of therapeutics and treatments.

Also read- How to immigrate to Canada from India in 2022- Find out key pathways and process

On 15 February, Canadian government announced a few key adjustments to the present border measures, which indicate the starting of a phased easing of travel restrictions. With effect from February 28, 2022:

• Canadian government will be relaxing the on-arrival testing for fully vaccinated travellers. It means that the fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada from overseas will be randomly chosen for arrival testing. Travellers chosen will also no longer need to quarantine while awaiting their test result.
  • Children (under 12 years), travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine, without any recommended conditions limiting their activities. For example, they no longer need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or day-care.
  • Unvaccinated travellers will continue to be need to test on arrival, on Day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Unvaccinated overseas citizens will not be allowed to enter Canada without meeting one of the few exemptions.
• Travellers arriving in Canada will now have the option of using a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result (i.e. taken a day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry). They can also opt for a molecular test result (i.e. taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry) to fulfil pre-entry requirements. Taking a rapid antigen test at home is not enough to fulfil the pre-entry requirement – it need to be authorized by the country wherein it was purchased and must be overseen by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.
• Canadian government will change its Travel Health Notice from a Level 3 to a Level 2. This means that the Government will no longer recommend that Canadians avoid travel for non-essential purposes. 
  • Travellers should understand the risks that are still linked with overseas travel given the high incidence of Omicron, and take required precautions.
  • On February 28, 2022, Transport Canada’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts where international passenger flights can arrive in Canada will expire. It means that foreign flights carrying passengers will be allowed to land at all remaining Canadian airports designated by the Canada Border Services Agency to receive international passenger flights.

To get further clarification about the above travel measures or to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa in Canada this year, you may get in touch with Canada immigration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com. Visas Avenue is prominent Immigration Advisor and Consultant for Canada.

- Rajneesh Kumar