International visitors to Canada who have been fully vaccinated from COVID-19 will have an easier time entering the country, starting Tuesday.
Effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, travellers from countries other than the United States who have been fully vaccinated may enter Canada for non-essential reasons, such as tourism.
Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases in Canada, mainly driven by the Delta variant, the government said the border positivity test rate has stayed very low.
"This data along with continued adherence to public health measures by Canadians and incoming travellers means that Canada is better able to prevent outbreaks of infection and can now allow more incoming fully vaccinated travellers without increasing the risk to the health and safety of Canadians," read a release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
According to the CBSA, people entering the country must be prepared to show proof of a full vaccination of any type of COVID-19 vaccine accepted by the Canadian government, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, and Johnson and Johnson.
Travellers must also have a negative molecular test result, taken not more than 72 hours before departure, or a previous negative test that was taken 14 to 180 days before arrival in Canada. Antigen, or rapid tests, are not acceptable.
Those entering Canada must also be asymptomatic, be admissible under federal immigration guidelines, and submit their testing documentation on the ArriveCAN website or app in English or French, along with a quarantine plan should one become necessary. Travellers may also be directed by CBSA agents to take a test upon arrival.
Complete information on current COVID-19 policies for travellers can be found on the official Government of Canada website.