TIAO ‘Delighted’ With Border Changes

In a message to its members, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) notes that: “After months of campaigning for the Federal Government to announce it’s plans on when and how it would re-open the border, I am delighted to be able to share with you the news on when fully vaccinated visitors, first from the United States and then other international visitors, will be able to cross the border.

Canada will open the border to fully vaccinated Americans and permanent residents of the U.S. for non-essential travel on August 9. The Canadian government is also eliminating the three-night quarantine hotel policy for those arriving by air as of Aug. 9 at 12:01am EDT.”

The association advises its members that as of Aug. 9, Americans who have been fully vaccinated can travel to Canada without having to quarantine. Travellers must:

• Be fully vaccinated by a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada;
• Meet the pre-entry test requirements;
• Provide a digital copy of vaccination documentation in English or French;
• Provide COVID-19 related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada;
• Provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine in case border agents determine they do not meet the necessary requirements
• Be asymptomatic upon arrival
• Participate in random COVID-19 testing.

It also explains that unvaccinated children under 12 years of age and dependents of fully vaccinated travellers eligible for entry to Canada will be exempt from quarantine. However, they will remain subject to the Day 1 and Day 8 testing requirements, and must avoid group settings, such as camps or daycare’s.

Provinces and territories may have more stringent rules around people who have recently returned from travel.

As well, TIAO points out that as of Aug. 9, international passenger flights will also be allowed in Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Winnipeg airports (this is in addition to Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver airports). There will be a ban on direct flights from India until at least August 21 due to concerns about the Delta variant of COVID-19.

But it advises that unvaccinated travellers will still be required to follow the mandatory testing and quarantine restrictions, and Canada will continue to prohibit U.S. travellers who are not fully vaccinated and for all other foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the Orders made under the Quarantine Act.

On September 7, Canada intends to open its borders for non-essential travel by travellers from any country who have been fully vaccinated with Government of Canada-accepted vaccines at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet the specific entry requirements. The entry and arrival requirements for fully vaccinated travellers above will also apply.