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Canada reportedly preparing to relax quarantine protocols for vaccinated visitors

June 08, 2021
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3 min read
Two-lane famous Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, Alberta, with snowcapped mountains looming above in summer
Canada reportedly preparing to relax quarantine protocols for vaccinated visitors
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Editor's Note

       

There is potentially great news for travelers thinking of visiting Canada this summer as Canadian officials are getting set to announce new, more relaxed border COVID-19 restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated.

Bloomberg is reporting that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intends to reduce the current 14-day mandatory quarantine period for anyone entering Canada, provided they have had two vaccine doses. Those travelers crossing the Canadian border would still be required to take a COVID test, and a quarantine period would still be necessary, but sources say it would be for a shorter amount of time.

Currently, anyone entering Canada must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival even if you have been fully vaccinated, tested negative for COVID, and/or show no symptoms.

At the moment, non-essential travel remains forbidden in Canada. Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents, people registered under Canada’s Indian Act, protected persons, select foreign nationals traveling for essential reasons and immediate family members of Canadian citizens or residents are allowed to enter Canada, although there are some exceptions.

Trudeau is expected to make the announcement in the coming days, but it is not yet known when the proposed changes would go into effect. Also on Monday, Politico reported that Canada is looking at June 22 as the date to ease restrictions at the U.S.-Canadian border. That is the day after the long-running pact that limits non-essential travel between the neighboring countries which was put in place at the start of the pandemic is due for its monthly renewal.

Related: What to know about Canada's COVID border restrictions

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The prime minister has previously said he would ease Canada's border restrictions when 75% of Canadians had received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 20% of the population had been fully vaccinated. As of May 29, more than 68 percent of Canadian adults had received at least one dose, while more than 7 percent were fully vaccinated.

It appears the decision to relax the quarantine requirements is due in part to the realization that doing so now would help salvage the summer tourist season. Pressure has been growing on both the Canadian and U.S. governments to ease restrictions that have been in place since March of 2020, which have drastically reduced ground and air traffic between the two nations. That pressure has intensified as vaccination rates continue to rise.

An extension of those restrictions for another month would be especially painful for the Canadian and American tourism industries, since it would restrict movement for the July 1 national holiday in Canada and the July 4 weekend in the states.

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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