People waiting for flights in the Toronto Pearson International Airport in July 2022. Photo: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Canada announced Monday it will drop all of its COVID-19 pandemic travel and border restrictions starting Oct. 1.
Why it matters: The decision to drop the restrictions stemmed from the country's vaccination, hospitalization and death rates and the availability of vaccine boosters.
What they're saying: "Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border," Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada's minister of health, said in a statement.
- "However, we expect COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses will continue to circulate over the cold months, so I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses and exercise individual public health measures," Duclos added.
Details: Starting Oct. 1, travelers will no longer be required to submit public health information through a government app or website, provide proof of vaccination, take pre- or on-arrival tests or quarantine or isolate.
- People will also no longer have to wear masks on planes and trains, though they are "strongly recommended" to still wear one, the Canadian government said.
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