Earlier this week, sources told the CBC that Ottawa was leaning toward ending the measures, but a final decision had not been made because it was awaiting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval.
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The current COVID-19 Emergency Order on border measures expired on September 30. The government had the option of extending the measures. The government is expected to make an official announcement on Monday, the source said. The official spoke to CBC on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The government has not yet decided whether to end the current cover requirements for passengers on planes and trains. The matter will be discussed in the cabinet later on Thursday. On Tuesday, a group of lawmakers and border city mayors published an open letter to Trudeau and US President Joe Biden asking them to end “unnecessary” border rules they say will allow border communities to recover financially from pandemic. “When COVID-19 was at its peak and border measures were effective in slowing transmission rates, we did our part to keep Canadians and Americans safe,” the letter says. “Now, we have been left behind in the recovery effort as both countries have largely returned to normal day-to-day life.” Several travelers and tourism operators have called for an end to pandemic measures, especially random testing. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada said it was “heartened” by the news, but added that the government should lift the coverage requirement for air travelers. “We have been unequivocal in calling on the federal government to lift all remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions,” the agency said in a statement. A spokesman for the Frontier Duty Free Association, which represents dozens of private duty free shops across the country, said the association was “thrilled” to learn the restrictions would be lifted. “We can now embark on the long road to recovery and we are looking forward to getting through these very difficult times,” the statement said.
