Unvaccinated children between 5 and 11 years old for COVID-19 accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult no longer need to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in Canada.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced the change last Friday, which took effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m.
Ottawa has clarified that unvaccinated children 12 and older must continue to be tested for COVID-19 to enter Canada.
Other relaxations to health measures also come into effect on Monday, such as the lifting of the obligation for fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada to provide a quarantine plan. The same applies to people who have not been vaccinated for a medical reason and children aged 5 to 11 accompanied by a vaccinated relative.
PHAC Deputy Chief Administrator Dr. Howard Njoo explained that given the current situation and the vast majority of Canadians have been vaccinated, now is a good time to relax a little on what is happening at borders.
In Canada, wearing a mask is still compulsory on board planes and trains.
The new relaxations now in effect mean that travelers returning to Canada who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask in any public place for a period of 14 days. However, if a provincial face covering requirement is in effect, as in Quebec, it is the latter that prevails.
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