The Government of Canada has announced the easing of certain COVID-19 border measures in light of Canada’s high vaccination rate and decreasing hospitalization rates.

As of February 28, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., the following measures will come into effect:

• In order to meet pre-entry testing requirements, travellers entering Canada can provide a COVID-19 rapid antigen test result, taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry, OR a molecular test result, taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border or marine port of entry.
  • The rapid antigen test cannot be taken at home, but rather authorized by the country in which it was purchased, and administered by a laboratory, healthcare entity, or telehealth service.
  • If a traveller is relying on a positive test result received in the previous 10 to 180 days to meet the pre-entry testing requirement, the traveller must provide a molecular test result.
• Fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada from any country will be subject to mandatory random on-arrival testing. Those selected for testing will no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their result.
• Children under 12 years of age travelling with fully vaccinated adults will continue to be exempt from quarantine, however they will no longer be subject to any conditions limiting their activity (i.e. children will no longer be required to wait 14 days before attending school, camp, or daycare).  
• Unvaccinated foreign nationals continue to be prohibited from entering Canada unless they meet one of the prescribed exemptions. Unvaccinated travellers who enter Canada will be required to test on arrival and at day 8, and quarantine for 14 days.
• The Government of Canada will no longer recommend avoiding travel for non-essential purposes and, effective February 28, 2022 at 4:00 p.m., international flights will be permitted to land at all remaining Canadian airports that are designated to receive international passenger flights.

The Federal Government’s official news release outlining these measures can be found here.

We will continue to update our clients with information as soon as it becomes available. If you have any questions about this topic, other COVID-19 related questions, or any questions relating to workplace law generally, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer, or refer to the Firm’s COVID-19 website resources.

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