Wed 15 June 2022:
Beginning June 20, domestic and international outbound air travelers will no longer need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the Canadian government.
Quarantine will still apply to overseas visitors and Canadians returning from abroad when they re-enter the country.
“Today’s announcement is possible because Canadians have stepped up to protect each other,” Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc said at a news conference. “We are now able to adjust our policy because we have followed consistently the best advice from public health authorities.”
The restrictions had been in place since Oct. 30, 2021.
But there was a codicil to the changed policy.
LeBlanc said while the decision is “based on science,” if cases increase significantly this fall, the federal government will “bring back” vaccine mandates.
Meanwhile, he said recent recurring logjams for travelers waiting for hours to board flights at Canadian airports was not a factor in the decision to drop the vaccine requirements.
“We don’t regret at all being cautious when it comes to a virus that has tragically killed tens of thousands of Canadians and millions of people around the world,” said LeBlanc. “Acting prudently has saved lives.”
Approximately 90% of Canada’s population has received two doses of the viral vaccine.
Employees who have been on unpaid leave for refusing vaccinations will be able to return to work under the new policy.
According to the government, 98.5 percent of federal employees are fully vaccinated.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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