(Ottawa) Vaccination passports are no longer required as of Monday in Canada for domestic and international travel, for the federally regulated transportation sector and for federal government employees.
Posted at 6:22
However, the Government of Canada advises that the current requirements for vaccinations at the Canadian border remain in effect because vaccination rates and control of the coronavirus in other countries vary considerably. All travelers entering Canada must therefore continue to meet the entry requirements, which include presenting a valid pre-entry test result if they are not vaccinated.
The government attributes the relaxation of the rules to a drop in COVID-19 infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported a steady decline in the number of cases across the country, although provinces no longer offer molecular testing to the general public and federal counts have become less accurate.
However, a number of measures remain in force on Monday. As such, requirements for the vaccination of cruise ship passengers and crew remain in place. Additionally, mask-wearing and other public health protection measures continue to be enforced on planes, trains and ships.
Current border measures, including requiring most foreign nationals to be vaccinated to enter Canada, as well as quarantine and testing requirements for Canadians who have not received their basic vaccine series, remain in place. vigor.
The vaccine passport is no longer required on trains and buses in Canada, allowing unvaccinated Canadians to travel more freely.
The change also affects federal workers who had been placed on unpaid leave due to their vaccination status. The government has not revealed how many employees have been furloughed in this way, but reported last week that 98.5% of civil servants were fully vaccinated, with two doses.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada filed a grievance against the government earlier this year on behalf of public servants placed on unpaid leave, but also on behalf of those who are teleworking, but who also needed to be vaccinated, otherwise they risked losing their salary. Several other public sector unions have undertaken similar challenges.
Last week, nearly 90% of Canadians over the age of 12 had received at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, but only about 55% had received a booster shot.