Canada to ease Covid border restrictions

Canada will relax its Covid-19 travel restrictions at the end of February, as the Omicron variant of the virus has passed its peak in the country.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said that, from February 28, it will be easing the on-arrival testing for fully vaccinated travellers.

“This means that travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, will be randomly selected for arrival testing,” said the statement.

“Travellers selected will also no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

“Children under 12 years old, travelling with fully vaccinated adults, will continue to be exempt from quarantine.

“Unvaccinated travellers will continue to be required to test on arrival, on Day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter Canada unless they meet one of the few exemptions.”

The statement said travellers will have the option of using a Covid-19 rapid antigen test result taken the day before travel, or a molecular test result, taken no more than 72 hours before travel.

A rapid antigen test must be administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service.

Randy Boissonnault, tourism minister, said: “We are committed to a safe reopening; one that provides predictability, flexibility and shows the world that Canada is one of the safest places to travel.

“Travel is safe and will continue to be safe in Canada.

“The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers and today’s measures will help us safely welcome visitors to Canada.”