“The federal government’s decision to remove pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers as of April 1, is a very welcome step forward for the travel and tourism industry. It helps align Canada’s public health practices with other jurisdictions around the world, and allows individuals, families and businesses to plan their summer and fall travel with more confidence and convenience,” said Mike McNaney, Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer at Vancouver Airport Authority / L'Administration de l’aéroport de Vancouver.
Pre-entry testing requirements were implemented by the Government of Canada earlier in the pandemic as part of a series of border and travel measures. Other policies such as the mandatory wearing of masks in airports and on aircraft, proof of vaccination requirements for air travel, and the requirement to use the ArriveCAN app remain in effect. Fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada may still be randomly selected for a mandatory arrivals test, but are no longer required to quarantine while they await arrival test results.
More information about COVID-19 travel requirements can be found at travel.gc.ca.
Quick Facts
- This announcement brings Canada in line with many other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Republic of Ireland.
- The elimination of testing for fully vaccinated travellers and families removes a significant deterrent to travel and will help rebuild Canada’s $102 billion tourism and travel sector, and support travel and hospitality workers.
- Throughout 2021, YVR, Air Canada and WestJet—together with the tourism and hospitality industry—partnered with the Province of British Columbia to support BC’s mass immunization efforts. Airport and airline workers provided their expertise and logistical support as non-clinical staff at community immunization clinics to support the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of people across the province.