Despite airport delays, Canada continues Covid vaccination-related procedures
Key Takeaways:
- According to a tweet from Health Canada, current border limitations for visitors entering Canada will be extended until at least June 30.
- Despite her party's support for the motion, it was defeated by the Liberals and NDP, who received 117 votes in favor and 202 votes against it.
Even as a motion to abolish travel restrictions was voted rejected by the ruling Liberal Party with assistance from the New Democratic Party, the Canadian government stated that Covid vaccination-related limitations would be extended for another month (NDP).
According to a tweet from Health Canada, current border controls for travelers entering Canada will be extended until at least June 30.
Foreign citizens will continue to be needed to be fully immunized to enter the country. At the same time, unimmunized Canadians and permanent residents will be required to provide a negative molecular test result before boarding a flight to a Canadian destination. They will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.
As the number of Covid cases declines and more people flies with Covid-19, Conservative Party MP Melissa Lantsman introduced a motion in the House of Commons urging the government to "quickly restore to pre-pandemic standards and service levels for travel."
According to the motion, Canadians face "unacceptable wait times" at airports that were still operating at lower capacity despite present limits being deemed "ineffective" and increasing delays by experts. It went on to say that Canada's overseas partners had taken steps to abolish comparable restrictions at airports and other entry points.
Although her party backed the resolution, it was defeated by the Liberals and NDP with a vote of 117 in favor and 202 against.
Lantsman claimed the government has still "not offered any reason for their antiquated and out-of-step limitations" in a tweet following the vote.
Passengers have been detained on planes for hours before deplaning due to long lines at airports and have faced multiple-hour delays through customs and other requirements.
In a tweet on May 18, the Canadian Airports Council urged the government to "eliminate random tests and public health questions at customs to relieve the delays travelers endure while arriving in Canada."