If you’re a Canadian looking to travel (and who isn’t?!), there have been a few exciting advances lately in the world of travel that we want to make sure you’re up to speed on!
Read on to learn more about the changing travel restrictions in Canada, the US land border re-opening for non-essential travel, and the US beginning to accept mixed vaccine doses for travelers.
1. CANADA HAS ENDED ITS NO-TRAVEL ADVISORY
Canada has taken down its official global travel advisory, which recommended against Canadians traveling anywhere in the world for a non-essential reason.
Now, the government’s website has a list of destinations with specific travel recommendations, ranging from “exercise normal security precautions” to “exercise a high degree of caution” and “avoid all travel”.
For example, the U.S. is in the “normal” category of destinations, while the U.K. and Mexico are in the “high degree of caution” category.
However, unvaccinated Canadians are still being advised to avoid all non-essential travel because of an increased risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.
2. Mandatory Full Vaccination Required to Board a Plane, Train or Cruise Ship in Canada
The Government of Canada has put this mandate into place to better protect the health and safety of travelers and believes that the mandate will also help to get as many Canadians vaccinated as possible.
Starting October 30, 2021: you will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board:
- Domestic or international flights departing from airports in Canada
- VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
- Non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more departing from ports in Canada, once voyages resume.
To board your flight, train, or ship (if you are 12 years of age or older) you must:
- have received at least 2 doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
- or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine
- have received your second dose at least 14 days prior to the day you travel
- have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
- bring official proof of vaccination with you for your trip
IF YOU ARE NOT YET VACCINATED:
If you are in the process of becoming vaccinated, there will be a short period where you will be able to travel if you can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of travel.
By November 30, 2021, all travelers must be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions to address situations like emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
This is a Government of Canada mandate; please visit https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying if you want to know the most up-to-date information.
What About Mixed Vaccines?
For domestic travel in Canada, if you have received two mixed doses of Health Canada-approved vaccines, you are now good to trravel with nothing to worry about!
Traveling internationally is not as simple, because countries have their own entry rules when it comes to vaccination status and whether or not a quarantine period is required.
3. USA Welcomes Visitors with Mixed Vaccine Doses as of November 8, 2021
However, the U.S. has recently confirmed that, as of November 8, 2021, they will accept Canadian travelers with mixed vaccine doses, as long as the vaccines have been authorized for use by U.S. regulators or the World Health Organization.
4. US Land Border Reopening
Also starting on November 8, 2021, the United States will be opening its land and sea border to non-essential fully vaccinated Canadian travelers for the first time since March 2020!
Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens will not need to show proof of a negative test before crossing.
What Is Considered “Fully Vaccinated” in the U.S.?
Travelers are considered fully vaccinated if they have had both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (ex. Johnson & Johnson) at least 14 days before their travel date.
The U.S. is expected to recognize travelers who have been fully vaccinated with any vaccine approved or recognized for emergency use by the World Health Organization or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance issued earlier this week for air travel. This includes AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.
READY TO BOOK YOUR NEXT ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
When you’re ready to hop on a plane and make your travel dreams come true, make sure to contact one of our TierOne Travel agents. They have extensive experience in life-changing travel experiences and will be able to craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs.
One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous
