On Wednesday 06OCT, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that all travellers and all federal workers are required to be vaccinated by 30OCT.
Those departing from Canadian airports, as well as on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to travel. Trudeau noted that between 30OCT and 30NOV 2021, there will be a short transition period where Canadians can travel with a negative COVID-19 test if they are in the process of still receiving their doses.
However, after 30NOV, all travellers will be required to be fully vaccinated, and negative COVID-19 tests will no longer be an option before boarding.
This vaccination requirement specifically applies to all travellers aged 12 and over 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
According to Trudeau, exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be rare and “onerous” to obtain.
