What people flying at Toronto Pearson need to know about the new travel rules
Travellers flying into Toronto Pearson International Airport will soon no longer need to show proof of vaccination or wear a face mask.
The federal government announced Monday that it is dropping all COVID-19 border restrictions under the Quarantine Act for anyone entering Canada at the end of the month.
As of Oct. 1, foreign nationals will not be required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the country and unvaccinated Canadians will no longer have to isolate when they return home.
There will no longer be random mandatory COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving at the international airport. Submitting public health information through the ArriveCan app will be optional and it will no longer be mandatory to wear a face mask either in the airport or on a flight.
The Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), which governs operations at Toronto Pearson airport, said it was pleased with the announcement and hopes it will “ensure that Canada will retake its globally competitive ranking as a travel and tourism hub.”
“Our industry faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic due to strict health measures and regulations that impacted operations,” spokesperson Michelle Silva said.
“Toronto Pearson and its industry partners continue to focus on improving the passenger experience at airports, and we look forward to working with our government partners to address the systemic challenges in the air sector, including labour shortages, modernization of border processes, and the immediate reopening of the Nexus enrollment centre.”
Silva added that while it is too soon to know how these changes will impact the overall experience at Pearson airport, she believes the biggest change will come from the removal of the ArriveCAN app. This could lead to a faster customs process, she said.
Throughout the summer, customers flying through Toronto Pearson Airport complained of long lines, lost baggage and flight delays.
In J.D. Power’s annual customer satisfaction survey, which was released last week, Pearson is among the five worst largest airports in North America. This was cased on factors such as terminal facilities, airport arrival and departure, baggage claim, and security checks.
Both the GTAA and the Mississauga Board of Trade have long called for an end to COVID-19 border measures, arguing the added precautions were slowing down operations amid staffing challenges and businesses in the area were being negatively impacted.
Trevor McPherson, President and CEO of the Mississauga Board of Trade, said he welcomes the lifting of Canada’s COVID -19 travel requirements.
“The international community has recognized that we are now in a different phase of the pandemic, and we are therefore pleased that Canada’s travel health policies will now be in-line with those of the international community,” he said in a statement.
“As we move forward, it is critical that any new pandemic-related measures are informed by the latest available science and that ineffective mandates that present significant challenges for individuals, businesses, and international visitors are avoided at all costs.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.