Canada announces first phase to ease border restrictions

By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — Life will be easier for visitors coming to Canada as the country announced Monday it will ease some of its travel restrictions beginning July 5.

Under the new rules, fully vaccinated travelers will not have to quarantine or take a Covid-19 test eight days after arrival.

As well, people arriving by air will no longer be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.

To be considered fully vaccinated, travelers will have to be immunized with a vaccine approved by Health Canada at least 14 days before their arrival.

The approved vaccines are those made by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Visitors must have no symptoms of Covid and provide documentation proving they have been vaccinated.

In addition, they must keep a list of close contacts for 14 days after entering the country.

But the government is still telling people to it might be better to stay home.

“At this time, the Government of Canada continues to strongly advise Canadians to avoid non-essential travel,” said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “Although the future is looking brighter than it has for a long time with Covid-19 cases on a downward trend and vaccination efforts going well across the country, we can’t let our guard down.”

(Eagle News Service)