OTTAWA, Nov 21: Expanding its list of approved covid vaccines, the Canadian
Government has announced that it will allow international passengers who have
been fully vaccinated with Indian Bharat Biotech's Covaxin from November 30.
China's Sinopharm and Sinovac have also been included in the revised list.
Currently, Canada allows travellers vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna,
AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson only to enter the country. Those who "qualify
as fully vaccinated travellers and who re-enter Canada within 72 hours of leaving,
won’t have to provide a pre-entry molecular test result." The vaccination should
have been completed 14 days prior to travel.
"This will also apply to their accompanying children under 12, regardless of
whether or not the children are vaccinated," the Government said.
Covaxin, approved by the WHO, has also been accepted by the UK from November
22.
The Government also announced that as of January 15, 2022, certain groups of
travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed
to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved
for entry into Canada. These groups include:
Individuals travelling to reunite with family (unvaccinated children under
18 years of age will retain exemption if travelling to reunite with an immediate
or extended family member who is a Canadian, permanent resident, or person registered
under the Indian Act); International students who are 18 years old and older;
Professional and amateur athletes; Individuals with a valid work permit, including
temporary foreign workers (outside of those in agriculture and food processing);
and, Essential service providers, including truck drivers.
Travellers should contact their airline or railway company to obtain the necessary
form and submit them.
Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry
requirements before heading to the border. In addition, some provinces and territories
may have their own entry restrictions in place. Check and follow both the federal
and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has launched a new feature in ArriveCAN
called Advance CBSA Declaration. This feature will allow travellers arriving
at certain airports to electronically submit their customs and immigration declaration
in advance of their arrival in Canada. This feature is currently available for
travellers arriving at Vancouver International Airport through the ArriveCAN
website only. It will soon be launched at other airports across Canada.
