As Canada eases restrictions on fully-vaccinated travelers, the Canadian Travel and Tourism Industry issued a statement regarding the federal government’s changes to travel and border measures.
Earlier this week, Canada announced easing entry for fully-vaccinated international travelers starting on March 1 as COVID-19 cases declined, as per a report.
The new measures, which include dropping the mandatory testing upon entry, will be announced by the government of Canada later. Canada will also remove testing requirements for fully-vaccinated Canadians who make short trips abroad less than 72 hours.
The global travel advisory for Canadians is also being changed. Previously, the government recommended against all non-essential travel, and now it is only urging citizens to take precautions.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable welcomes the federal government’s decision to remove the advisory against non-essential travel and move away from mandatory pre-departure and on-arrival PCR tests.
“Though the announcement brings us one step closer to where our industry needs to be, in requiring pre-departure rapid antigen tests, the government missed an opportunity to align with other international jurisdictions that removed pre-departure test requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.”
The Roundtable also added that with these changes, the travel and tourism sector continues to be the only industry subject to mandatory testing, despite being safer than everyday activities.
“We look forward to reviewing the details around these announced changes and to a continued dialogue with government to re-open our economy and get our sector back on its feet.”
The Canadian Tourism Roundtable is a cross-Canadian coalition of leaders in the tourism and travel sector, including representatives from airports, airlines, hotels, and chambers of commerce across the country – committed to working together to restart the industry smoothly and safely.
Travel and Tourism is a CA$102-billion sector, employing millions of Canadians across the country and accounting for 2.1% of the country’s gross domestic product. It advocates for a safe and prosperous tourism and travel sector across Canada.
It’s astonishing that the Canadian travel industry expected the government to align with other international jurisdictions on travel measures. The decision to maintain rapid antigen tests for fully vaccinated travelers is unforeseen.
What are your opinions on the gradual approach to easing border measures for fully vaccinated travelers in Canada?