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
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.