Canada will be extending its border restrictions to travellers from all countries including the U.S. until July 21, 2021.
Bill Blair, Canada's public safety minister, announced the news via a tweet.
He also said that there will be new measures for fully vaccinated individuals who are exempt from the travel restrictions announced on Monday.
Our number one priority as we fight #COVID19 is keeping Canadians safe. In coordination with the U.S., we are extending restrictions on non-essential international travel and with the United States until July 21st, 2021.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) June 18, 2021
As we have said, the government is planning measures for fully vaccinated Canadians, Permanent Residents, and others who are currently permitted to enter Canada and will provide further details on Monday, June 21.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) June 18, 2021
Health officials have previously disclosed that Canada will only recognize vaccinated travellers who received a vaccine approved in Canada, including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.
Complete our FREE Assessment form to see if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!
The extension of the border restrictions include the U.S. although the number of vaccinated individuals in Canada and the U.S. continues to increase.
Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, had suggested that there would be a phased reopening of the Canada-U.S. border. The Canadian federal government has been facing pressure from both Canada and the U.S. from affected industries such as tourism. The U.S. Congress have introduced a bill that aims to create pressure to reopen the border.
Canada had shut the border to U.S. and all travellers in March 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Travel restrictions were extended every month since.
What do travellers need to know?
Currently, exempt travellers include Canadians, permanent residents, their family members, temporary workers with a work permit as well as international students who attend a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan.
Those who are allowed to travel to Canada are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before arriving in Canada.
They must also take another test when they arrive in Canada, and must quarantine for three days at a government-approved hotel, while they wait for their results.
After they are cleared, they are still required to carry out their 14-day quarantine at home. The three day hotel stay counts towards the 14 days.
Travel is also restricted to four major airports in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.
Complete our FREE Assessment form to see if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!