The Public Health Agency of Canada says COVID-19 restrictions at the border will remain in place for at least another month. The agency made the announcement on Twitter Tuesday, the day after Parliament voted down a Conservative opposition motion to revert to pre-pandemic rules for travel.
Several pandemic restrictions are in place at Canadian airports and land borders, including vaccine mandates, random COVID-19 tests, and the requirement that international travellers answer pandemic-related questions on the ArriveCan app. Travellers must also wear masks on planes and passenger trains.
The specific restrictions vary depending on travellers’ age, citizenship, and vaccination status.
Business groups and Conservative Opposition members have criticized the government’s decision to maintain the restrictions, particularly at Canada’s airports, as provincial restrictions have eased elsewhere in the country.
The Canadian Airports Council has blamed massive customs delays across the country on the pandemic measures and insufficient staff. In some cases, the lineups are so long the airports can’t physically contain them, so passengers are held in planes on the tarmac and let off in small groups.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Tuesday the COVID-19 public health measures at airports may have some impact on travel delays, but it’s not the only reason. Some European airports with no COVID-19 restrictions are also dealing with delays, he said.
“There’s obviously a discussion to strike the right balance, to ensure that we maintain our eye on public health but also the fluidity of our economy,” Alghabra said. “That discussion is ongoing.”
As for when the mandates will be lifted, Alghabra said he doesn’t know, but the government is consulting with experts and other jurisdictions.
Amongst others, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has said that cabinet should re-evaluate two-vaccine measures given that vaccines now provide less protection against transmission.
The government says those re-evaluations happen on an ongoing basis.