Air and Rail Passengers Have to be Fully Vaccinated to Travel in Canada

If you are planning to travel by air or rail in Canada any time soon, you should complete your vaccination process soon. The Government of Canada is making it mandatory for travelers to become fully vaccinated if they want to catch flights from Canadian airports or travel by train.

As per the Canadian government, this first phase of these new coronavirus-related measures will be implemented on October 30. Any traveler aged 12 and up will have to complete their vaccination if they want to use federally regulated modes of transportation like:

• VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
• Domestic and international flights from Canadian airports
• Cruise ships with voyages spanning 24 hours or more

Implementing the measures

Travelers who are still in the middle of getting vaccinated will be able to take advantage of the 30-day transition period. Unvaccinated travelers have to provide a valid COVID-19 molecular test report procured within 72 hours of departure, and they might still be allowed to board. However, the rule will become stricter by November 30. Travelers have to be fully vaccinated by then if they want to travel. Anyone unable to take the vaccine because of medical reasons will be exempted.

Employees in the transportation industry will also have to abide by these new rules. Air, rail and marine transportation sectors controlled by federal means have made it compulsory for employers to introduce vaccination policies for their organizations by October 30.

Transport Canada will conduct inspections to ensure that the new measures are being enforced. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines.