With 75% of its residents having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines and 50% on the full schedule, the Canadian government announced today that after 18 months it will advance a gradual plan to reopen its borders starting in August for vaccinated foreigners.

Initially, starting on August 9, Canada will once again allow the entry for non-essential reasons of US citizens or residents in that country who have been vaccinated at least 14 days before.

If the national epidemiological situation remains favorable, the government will then move forward to open its borders to the rest of the world as of September 7, also demanding full vaccination against COVID-19 through doses approved in Canada (at the moment they are those of Moderna , Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Janssen).

In any case, all passengers, even those vaccinated, will continue to be required to present a negative test carried out within 72 hours prior to arrival. Only the testing on arrival will be made more flexible, which will be carried out randomly to some passengers and will have no cost.

Another important measure currently in force for all arriving passengers, whether foreigners or residents, and which will be lifted on August 9 even for the unvaccinated, is the requirement of three-night isolation in a hotel authorized by the government.

But the restriction that non-resident foreigners who have not been vaccinated may only enter Canada for essential reasons such as family reunification, study or work (in some specific areas) and remain subject to a 14-day quarantine, a test at arrival and on day 8 is maintained.

«The safety of Canadians always comes first. With increasing vaccination rates and fewer cases in Canada, we can safely begin to ease border measures. A gradual approach to reopening will allow our health authorities to monitor the COVID-19 situation here and abroad. Canadians have worked hard and sacrificed for each other, and thanks to that work, we can safely take these next steps,» said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health of Canada.

The reopening of the borders and the expected greater flow of passengers by air will lead the government to enable international flights at five other Canadian airports: Halifax-Stanfield, Jean Lesage de Québec, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, Winnipeg and Edmonton, which will join to those of Montreal-Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson, Calgary and Vancouver.

From IATA they celebrated the measure of the Canadian government, one of the hardest and longest in the world, comparable, with nuances, with those of Australia or Argentina.

“Today’s decision by the Canadian government to gradually allow fully vaccinated foreign travelers into the country is good news on several fronts. First of all, it restores the freedom of travel, which will be especially welcomed by those who were prevented from seeing friends and family. Additionally, airlines can now begin to reestablish international connectivity. This will be a boost to rebuilding the Canadian economy, especially through the contribution of international business and tourism,» said Willie Walsh, IATA General Director.

Although he also insisted on going further by asking «the authorities to consider the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization regarding the relief of those who cannot be vaccinated.»

According to the organization that brings together most of the airlines worldwide, they detailed that the reopening of the Canadian borders will allow to begin to restore the 682 national and international routes lost during the pandemic, to generate again about USD 15 billion a year in visitor expenses and support more than 430 thousand local jobs.