According to a government announcement on Monday, all COVID-19 restrictions for travelers will end on October 1. This includes vaccination and masking requirements for flights and trains. According to Reuters, the move is likely to boost the Canadian travel industry, which is already booming following months of lull during the pandemic.
The Canadian carriers also called for an end to mask mandates on flights, citing thousands of incidents of noncompliance this year. The removal of all remaining measures effective October 1, 2022 will expedite the recovery of our industry and the Canadian economy as Canadians and international visitors make travel plans, WestJet Airlines said in a statement.
According to the government, Canada’s vaccination rate, access to newer vaccines and treatments, and data showing it had passed the peak of the latest Coronavirus outbreak led to the decision to end restrictions. Over 90% of Canadians over 12 have received the primary series of a COVID vaccine. A bivalent COVID-19 shot for adults from Moderna Inc. was approved for use by Canada this month.