(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
The federal government of Canada is extending current COVID-19
border measures for travellers entering the country, the Public
Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced Wednesday, Trend reports citing
Xinhua .
Requirements for travellers arriving to Canada are expected to
remain in effect until at least Sept. 30, 2022, PHAC said in a news
release.
'As we move into the next phase of our COVID-19 response, it is
important to remember that the pandemic is not over. We must
continue to do all that we can to keep ourselves and others safe
from the virus. Canada's border measures will remain flexible and
adaptable, guided by science and prudence,' said Minister of Health
Jean-Yves Duclos.
According to the news release, the pause of mandatory random
testing will continue at all airports until mid-July, for
travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated. The pause was put in
place on June 11, and is allowing airports to focus on streamlining
their operations, while the government moves forward with its
planned move of COVID-19 testing for air travellers outside of
airports to select test provider stores, pharmacies, or by virtual
appointment.
Moving testing outside of airports will allow Canada to adjust
to increased traveller volumes while still being able to monitor
and quickly respond to new variants of concern, or changes to the
epidemiological situation, PHAC said, adding that border testing is
an important tool in Canada's detection and surveillance of
COVID-19 and has been essential in helping slow the spread of the
virus.
Data from the testing program is used to understand the current
level and trends of importation of COVID-19 into Canada. Border
testing also allows for the detection and identification of new
COVID-19 variants of concern that could pose a significant risk to
the health and safety of Canadians. In addition, this data has and
continues to inform the government's safe easing of border
measures, PHAC said.
Mandatory random testing continues at land border points of
entry, with no changes. Travellers who do not qualify as fully
vaccinated, unless exempt, will continue to test on Day 1 and Day 8
of their 14-day quarantine, PHAC said.
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