Dear Members,
This week, Minister of Health Hon. Patty Hajdu, alongside the Ministers of Public Safety, Transport, Immigration, and Intergovernmental Affairs unveiled the Federal Government’s plan to begin the first phase of easing border restrictions. Beginning July 5th, at 11:59pm EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel. These travellers include individuals with right of entry (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act), and some foreign nationals eligible to enter Canada under the current entry prohibitions.
Under this first phase, fully vaccinated travellers will have to follow certain requirements, such as providing proof of vaccination, submitting required information to the ArriveCAN app, meeting pre- and on-arrival test requirements, being asymptomatic and having a suitable quarantine plan.
While this is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough. It is extremely disappointing to see our government continue to exercise extreme caution when its own panel recommended that double vaccinated travellers, regardless of where they are from, are safe to travel across borders.
HAC has issued a letter to the Prime Minister, emphasizing that the public policy reaction of the federal government is disheartening and urging Government to heed the advice of the COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel and deliver an expedited and evidence-based safe reopening plan to open the Canada-US borders.
As part of our ongoing work with the Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable, we will continue to apply pressure onto the government until they announce a proper border reopening plan
Sincerely,
