Health minister says it is not the time for travel as Canada enters third wave

Mohanad Moetaz, Shelby Thevenot
Published: April 8, 2021

Canada's travel restrictions are set to expire on April 21, but with the third wave of coronavirus, it seems like they could be rolled over for another 30 days or more.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters, "Now is not the time to consider international travel." The health minister did not say when the border would re-open but named some of the factors that Canada considers when making decisions on travel restrictions.

“We monitor a number of different metrics including domestic spread, provinces’ and territories’ capacities to manage cases in their own jurisdiction, as well as the situation internationally,” Hajdu said at a press conference alongside other officials on Tuesday, April 6.

Hajdu reiterated that, like many other countries, Canada is facing a third wave of the virus and the provinces and territories are struggling with the surge in cases.

Find Out if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, echoed Hajdu’s concerns.

“[One consideration] is what is going on outside of Canada in terms of epidemiology and spread. The other aspect is whether the provinces are coping with hospitalizations, ICUs at that kind of capacity,” Tam said, “We must be able to cope with any potential risks, and that is absolutely critical.”

In addition, there are operational considerations that should be taken into account, according to Tam. An example of this is having testing capacities to facilitate the safe entry of travellers.

As other countries are implementing vaccine passports, Canada is just keeping an eye on their effectiveness for the time being.

"We continue monitoring evidence and we continue listening to public health experts to find out what measures are appropriate for those people who are vaccinated and those who are vaccinated by vaccines that are not approved here,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in French.

Trudeau added that Canada must ensure the easing of travel restrictions is done the right way.

Canada’s public health agency has previously said that any decision on travel restrictions will be based on data. Currently, there is a lack of evidence to suggest whether vaccinated people can spread the virus to others.

There are currently no public plans from the federal government to lift travel restrictions.

Coronavirus situation in Canada

Canada as well as other countries around the world are facing a serious third wave. As such, Hajdu and Tam both said that Canadians should not be travelling for recreational purposes, even between provinces.

Tam said she is concerned about the rising number of COVID-19 variant cases across the country, and emphasized that it is unclear whether the approved vaccines provide protection against the variants of concern.

According to Tam, there are over 16,000 variant cases in Canada as of April 7. The majority of these cases are of the B.1.1.7 variant.

Find Out if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Travelling to Canada for the first time as a newcomer? Here is how you can arrive prepared
Plane landing
Here is the Yeates immigration report shaping the future of IRCC
How do people in Canada spend their money?
A man grabs two fistfuls of cash. Canadians in 2021 spent the most money on shelter.
Canada’s immigration department is undergoing major changes
Top Stories
Nigerian students critical to ongoing success of Canada’s international education sector
Canada extending international student off-campus work hours policy until April 2024
If I gain Canadian permanent residence, do I have to become a citizen?
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Citizenship
If I gain Canadian permanent residence, do I have to become a citizen?
A man stands on a viewing deck at Banff national park in Alberta.
What are the benefits of a Canadian passport?
A man holds his passport up at the airport as he travels through customs. Canada has one of the most recognised passports from any country around the world.
My parent is a Canadian citizen, but I was born outside Canada. Am I eligible for proof of citizenship?
The Canadian Flag flies in full in front of the Parliament of Canada, the Peace Tower is seen in the background on a cloudy day in Ottawa.
Am I eligible to become an Overseas Citizen of India?
The Bandra Worli Sea Link is seen passing over the Mahim Bay, with the city around it. Dadar, Prabhadevi, Lower Parel, Worli, Matunga, Mahim and Bandra can be seen.
Link copied to clipboard