Mandatory Vaccination requirement to start soon for air and rail passengers in Canada

The Canadian government consider vaccinations as the best line of defence against the global pandemic and its variants. Hence, recently the Canadian government announced its desire to need COVID-19 vaccination for employees in the federally controlled air, rail, and marine transportation sectors and its travellers.

Now, Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau has announced that from October 30, the government will need employers in the federally controlled air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to form vaccination policies for their employees.

Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination

With effect from October 30, travellers leaving from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, need to be fully vaccinated in order to travel.Canadian government has strictly advised the Canadians planning to travel by plane or train this holiday season to get vaccinated ASAP or they won’t be able to travel. All travellers will be liable to declare their vaccination status and providing documentation before boarding.

Vaccine requirements for travellers

Effective October 30, air passengers departing from Canadian airports, travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, and travellers on non-essential passenger vessels on voyages of 24 hours or more, i.e. cruise ships, will need to be vaccinated in order to board. Precisely, the vaccination requirement will be applicable to all travellers 12 years or above, who are:

• Air passengers flying on domestic, transborder or international flights departing from airports in Canada
• Rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
• Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more

For those, who are in the process of vaccination, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel provided they show a valid molecular test within 72 hours of travel. All travellers need to be fully vaccinated by November 30, with very limited exceptions to address specific situations.

Also read- How to prepare for Travel to Canada during Covid-19 Pandemic 

Moreover, this vaccination obligation will include explicit accommodation to recognize the unique requirements of travellers from small, remote communities (i.e. not accessible by road) to make certain they will be able to travel to acquire essential services in support of their medical, health, or social well-being, and return safely to their homes.

For more clarification, or to apply for PR visa, study visa, family-sponsored visa, etc. in Canada, you may contact Visas Avenue Canada Immigration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar