Canadian Health Minister Theresa Tam said Tuesday that citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19 may soon be exempted from a two-week quarantine upon their return to the country.
Authorities expect that to happen in early July.
Travelers who have received their vaccinations at least 14 days before arriving in Canada will be able to avoid a three-day stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel, but will need to remain in isolation until they test negative for COVID-19. .
Currently, travelers arriving by plane have to spend three days in quarantine in a hotel at their own expense, then complete two weeks in self-isolation. But soon they will only be required to take a coronavirus test upon arrival in Canada and stay in isolation until they get a negative result.
Dr Tam said she would like to see 75% of eligible Canadian residents get vaccinated before recommending easing restrictions for tourists and business travelers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Canada’s public services minister hopes to have enough vaccines for 80% of eligible Canadians to be fully vaccinated by the end of July.
