To prepare for the return of international students to its higher education institutions, Canada has announced several new border procedures that will go into force at the end of the month.
According to a government press release, starting Nov. 30, Canada will increase the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travelers can obtain to be considered fully vaccinated.
Key Takeaways:
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Canada has announced some new border processes that will take effect at the end of the month to prepare for international students’ return.
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Beginning Nov. 30, Canada will expand the list of COVID-19 vaccines that travelers can obtain to be completely immunized.
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Vaccination will be mandatory for travel within and outside of Canada beginning Nov. 30.
Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Covaxin will be added to the permitted manufacturers, including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.
Fully vaccinated people having the right to enter Canada who leave and return within 72 hours after leaving the country will not be required to submit to a pre-entry molecular test, effective Nov. 30.
Only fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or those registered under the Indian Act who depart and re-enter by land or air and can verify that they have been gone from Canada for less than 72 hours are eligible for this exemption.
The Government of Canada also announced that beginning Jan. 15 next year, exempt travelers will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaxxed with an approved vaccine. This includes:
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family members of Canadians, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act;
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international students who are at least 18 years old;
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athletes;
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holders of work permits, except those in agriculture and food processing; and
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essential service providers, such as truckers.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals will only be permitted to enter Canada after Jan. 15, 2022, if they meet the criteria for limited exceptions.
Moreover, unvaccinated travelers exempt from vaccination will still be subject to testing, quarantine, and other entry restrictions. Non-exempt foreign nationals who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated will be denied entry to Canada.
Vaccination will be mandatory for travel within and outside of Canada beginning Nov. 30. Unless travelers qualify for one of the limited exclusions, such as a medical inability to get vaccinated, a valid COVID-19 molecular test will no longer be considered an alternative to vaccination.
As vaccination rates, case counts, and hospitalization rates change, the Canadian government assured that they will continue to examine additional targeted border measures, as well as whether to lift or amend them, to keep Canadians safe.
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