The federal government is set to announce an end to mandatory vaccinations for domestic air and train travel, as well as international travel, the CBC found.
The immunization requirement for travel is in effect from Oct. 30, 2021. Ottawa has left the transition period until Nov. 30 for the application of this measure.
The government has been under pressure for weeks from opposition parties and the travel industry to relax some public health measures in response to delays and long queues at airports.
On June 1, Canada’s tourism industry pleaded with the federal government to lift health measures useless at the borders. But the Prime Minister replied that the pandemic was not over and that was it people are dying every day.
In part, the Canadian Airports Council requested that Ottawa withdraw the remaining sanitary measures at the border before June 15.
Every day counts. We have to save our summer, explained Ms. Pasher. This is an urgent problem.
First, Ottawa announced Friday afternoon the temporary suspension of mandatory random testing for vaccinated people entering the country.
These tests stop on Saturday, but may continue on July 1. They are conducted outside airports, i.e. at a clinic or at home. In addition, vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to provide a sample upon arrival on Canadian soil.
Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra stressed that the government recognizes the impact of high waiting times at some Canadian airports on travelers.
Earlier that day, Canadian Airports Council President Monette Pasher praised Ottawa’s decision to suspend random testing, calling it a big step towards the restoration of normal traffic at airport terminals.
However, Ms. stressed. Pasher that additional steps will be needed to completely clean the runway.
He also said waiting times and tarmac arrival delays at major airports improved immediately after the measure was implemented on Saturday.
As of June 1, the nation’s major airports were processing an average of 56,000 incoming passengers from overseas per day – more than half of them at Toronto’s Pearson airport, where scenes of endless queues Traveler’s wait and frustration will spread in social media posts and news for most of the spring.
The number of travelers is expected to reach 80,000 in a few weeks, according to forecasts by the Canadian Airports Council.
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
