Feds to eliminate pre-arrival PCR testing for fully vaccinated Canadian travellers, source says
The federal government is set to eliminate PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated Canadians travelling outside of the country, a senior government source tells CTV News.
Currently, any person who travels outside the country must provide proof of a negative molecular test, such as a PCR test, prior to returning to Canada. The test must be taken within 72 hours of scheduled departure on a flight or arrival at a land border.
Ottawa is set to remove those requirements at the end of the month, CTV News has confirmed. Instead of a PCR test, Canadians will be required to show proof of a negative antigen test, similar to the United States.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos signalled Friday that the federal government would announce changes to pandemic measures at Canada's borders next week.
Doug Ford says plan in works to remove Ontario's vaccine passport system
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says plans are in the works to remove the vaccine passport system that requires people to show proof of vaccination when they enter a number of settings.
“Today we are on track to very soon remove almost all restrictions for businesses as a part of our reopening plan,” Ford said during a news conference Friday. “And we heard from Dr. Moore last week, and again yesterday that he is now working on a plan that will allow us to remove the vaccine passport system. My friends, this is great news and a sign of just how far we have come together in this fight.”
Here's what's reopening and when in Ontario as province speeds up reopening
On Monday, the Ontario government announced it will be moving to the next step of its COVID-19 reopening plan Thursday, four days ahead of schedule.
The province also said it will lift proof of vaccination requirements beginning March 1.
Ontario moving to next phase of reopening plan on Feb. 17, to lift vaccine passport in March.
Here’s a full list of what’s reopening and when in Ontario:
February 17
Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
Cinemas
Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
March 1
Lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings
Lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.
The federal government is set to eliminate PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated Canadians travelling outside of the country, a senior government source tells CTV News.
Currently, any person who travels outside the country must provide proof of a negative molecular test, such as a PCR test, prior to returning to Canada. The test must be taken within 72 hours of scheduled departure on a flight or arrival at a land border.
Ottawa is set to remove those requirements at the end of the month, CTV News has confirmed. Instead of a PCR test, Canadians will be required to show proof of a negative antigen test, similar to the United States.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos signalled Friday that the federal government would announce changes to pandemic measures at Canada's borders next week.
Doug Ford says plan in works to remove Ontario's vaccine passport system
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says plans are in the works to remove the vaccine passport system that requires people to show proof of vaccination when they enter a number of settings.
“Today we are on track to very soon remove almost all restrictions for businesses as a part of our reopening plan,” Ford said during a news conference Friday. “And we heard from Dr. Moore last week, and again yesterday that he is now working on a plan that will allow us to remove the vaccine passport system. My friends, this is great news and a sign of just how far we have come together in this fight.”
Here's what's reopening and when in Ontario as province speeds up reopening
On Monday, the Ontario government announced it will be moving to the next step of its COVID-19 reopening plan Thursday, four days ahead of schedule.
The province also said it will lift proof of vaccination requirements beginning March 1.
Ontario moving to next phase of reopening plan on Feb. 17, to lift vaccine passport in March.
Here’s a full list of what’s reopening and when in Ontario:
February 17
Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
Cinemas
Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
March 1
Lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings
Lifting proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination.
Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.
