Vaccine requirements suspending on June 20
Vaccine requirements for domestic & international travel
Effective June 20th, vaccination will no longer be a requirement to board a plane or train in Canada.
Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, continue to apply and will be enforced throughout a traveller’s journey on a plane or train.
While the suspension of vaccine mandates reflects an improved public health situation in Canada, the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve and circulate in Canada and globally. Given this context, and because vaccination rates and virus control in other countries varies significantly, current vaccination requirements at the border will remain in effect. This will reduce the potential impact of international travel on our health care system and serve as added protection against any future variant.
Unvaccinated Canadian travellers will still be required to adhere to the current testing and quarantine requirements upon re-entry from international destinations. Foreign nationals travelling into Canada will still be required to be vaccinated. All travellers entering Canada must continue to follow entry requirements, including using ArriveCan and following all public health measures.
This decision was made based on the science – including the epidemiologic situation and modelling, vaccine science, and high levels of vaccination against COVID-19 in Canada. These changes are not made on tourism-related concerns, nor are they in response to high travel demand at Canada’s airports.
Note on cruise travel: Given the unique nature of cruise ships, including the fact that passengers are in close contact with each other for extended periods of time, vaccination against COVID-19 is still required for passengers and crew on cruise ships.
Vaccination requirements for federally regulated workplaces
Over 98.5% of federal public servants have rolled up their sleeves and received the COVID-19 vaccine. Following this successful vaccination campaign within the federal public service, the vaccine requirement for employment will be lifted as of June 20. Employees currently on administrative leave without pay as a result of the vaccination policy will be contacted by their managers to resume their duties.
All federal public servants are strongly encouraged to remain up to date with their vaccinations.
We will continue to follow Health Canada’s advice to protect health and safety in federal workplaces.
COVID-19 is still with us and we will closely monitor the need for new measures, including the resumption of mandates if necessary.
