With Canadian borders closed to non-essential travelers in the wake of the pandemic since March 2020, many travelers have been impatiently awaiting the reopening, and much speculation has surrounded the issue.
At a virtual event held on June 7, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented that he is considering welcoming tourists in a phased approach as the number of infections continues to decline in the United States and the rest of the world.
He added that Canada will need to ensure that visitors are fully vaccinated before crossing the border. “We don't want to take the risk of future outbreaks - dealing with a fourth wave would be devastating, not just economically, but morally,” he said, although it is uncertain at this point how proof of vaccination would be demonstrated.
In order to decide what these phases would be, Trudeau said the government will take into account metrics such as the number of cases worldwide, as well as global vaccination rates. A possible first-phase scenario would allow vaccinated travelers to avoid quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19.
There is no set date for the reopening, but government authorities and border officials estimate that by the end of July there may be more clarity on minimizing restrictions and talk of a more grounded reopening plan, considering that 75% of the Canadian population will be fully vaccinated by then.
Later this week, the Prime Minister will attend meetings of the G7, where they will discuss further the creation of international vaccination passports, which will allow fully vaccinated people access to countries participating in the scheme.
If you are planning to visit Canada as a tourist or international student, this is excellent news, so it is essential to stay informed over the next few weeks.
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