Canada will require all air and cruise passengers to be fully vaccinated before traveling as soon as this fall. On August 13th, the government announced its intent to require vaccination as early as the end of September across the federal public service.
Driving vaccine uptake in Canada to as high a level as possible is one of the most effective, and least disruptive, means at our disposal to sustain the gains we have made in recent months
Jean-Yves Duclos, the president of the Treasury Board
In the fall and no later than the end of October, authorities will require employees in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to be vaccinated. The vaccination requirement will also extend to all commercial air travelers, passengers on interprovincial trains, and passengers on large marine vessels with overnight accommodations, such as cruise ships.
The government has promised that it will engage with key stakeholders, including bargaining agents and transportation sector operators, as they plan for the implementation of these initiatives. Details will be communicated as the work unfolds. The process will include determining how this requirement will be implemented, through confirmation of Covid-19 vaccination and other means of protection, such as testing when necessary.
With this announcement, we are doing more to protect the health and safety of Canadians and reduce the risk of Covid-19
Jean-Yves Duclos, the president of the Treasury Board
According to Travel + Leisure, the decision comes days after Canada began welcoming fully-vaccinated travelers from the United States without the need to quarantine. Canada has kept its plans to lift its ban on cruise ships for the month of November.
According to figures from the government, more than 82% of eligible Canadians have received at least a first dose of a vaccine, and over 71% are fully vaccinated. Less than 1% of Covid-19 cases have been among those who were fully protected by the vaccine.
