Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 officially are now officially barred from boarding a plane or passenger train in Canada, and a negative COVID-19 test no longer serves as a substitute for most people. The strict requirement took effect yesterday after a transition period to the policy announced on Oct. 30 expired.
The federal government had been allowing unvaccinated travellers to board as long as they provided a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before their trip.
The stringent new requirement comes into effect as Canada reacts to the emergence of the new, highly mutated Omicron variant of COVID-19. The discovery of the new variant has prompted border closures and heavier screening in Canada and abroad over fears it could prove more transmissible.
While anyone coming into Canada or boarding a plane or train inside the country must be vaccinated, there are currently no quarantine measures in place except for people who have recently transited through southern Africa.
While many airlines have so far been doing random spot checks to ensure travellers are vaccinated, Air Canada and WestJet have confirmed they will ask for proof from everyone boarding their planes.
Other measures, like masks and health screenings, are still be mandatory.
“If you indicate to your airline or railway company that you’re eligible to board, but fail to provide proof of vaccination or valid COVID-19 test result, you won’t be allowed to travel and could face penalties or fines,” the government’s website states.
The rule does not apply to commuter trains.
The government has issued warnings on social media that even Canadians and permanent residents abroad will not be able to return home without a full slate of approved vaccines. There are some exceptions, including valid medical exemptions, travel to remote communities only accessible by plane, and those transiting through Canada en route to another destination.
Most people who qualify for an exemption will need a recent COVID-19 test.
The vaccine mandate was met with a positive reaction from Canada’s airline industry when it was first announced in October, though some companies worried about making the necessary preparations in time.
Since then, the federal government announced a standardized proof-of-vaccination document, which has been distributed by provinces and territories for domestic and international travel.