Aug 14, 2021 - Health

Canada to require passengers on airplanes, trains to be vaccinated

Erin Doherty

Travelers wearing protective masks wait in line in the international departures area in Vancouver International Aiport (YVR) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada — Travelers wait in the international departures area at Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia, Canada. Photo: Jennifer Gauthier/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Canadian government announced Friday that air travelers, passengers on interprovincial trains and cruise ship passengers will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Driving the news: "As soon as possible in the Fall and no later than the end of October, the Government of Canada will require employees in the federally regulated air, rail and marine transportation sectors to be vaccinated," per the statement announcing the government's decision.

"The vaccination requirement will also extend to certain travelers. This includes all commercial air travelers."
Federal public servants in Canada are also mandated to get the vaccine, per AP.

The big picture: The announcement comes as airlines across the United States vary in their approach to requiring employees and passengers to be vaccinated or not.

United Airlines said this month that all 67,000 of its U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 25 or risk being fired.
Meanwhile, American Airlines said it will offer incentives for employees to get vaccinated but will likely not impose mandates on either employees or customers.

Go deeper: United becomes first major U.S. airline to mandate vaccines for employees

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Canada to require passengers on airplanes, trains to be vaccinated

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