THUNDER BAY --- Patty Hajdu says it’s possible children who can’t be vaccinated may be able to cross back into Canada without a 14-day quarantine when Phase 2 of the border reopening kicks into gear.
But that decision still remains up in the air.
Starting on July 5, those eligible to enter Canada who are fully vaccinated are able to skip the current mandatory hotel quarantine. However, children under 12 have not yet been approved to receive a COVID-19 vaccinated and as a result, would have to isolated for two weeks – though fully vaccinated parents would not be required to do so.
Hajdu, Canada’s minister of health, on Thursday said her government and public health officials want to see higher vaccination rates before loosening more restrictions at the border, beyond the measures already announced for July 5.
“We’re aiming for that 75/75 at least fully vaccinated before we take the risk of any importation. We’re trying to keep those importations as low as possible. The variants are shifting and changing. It’s not a static situation. The virus is learning how to adapt,” Hajdu said.
“The more we try to contain it, it’s actually getting more virulent in some cases. So out of an abundance of caution, we’ve got this rule in place. But hopefully by Phase 2, when we see a much higher rate of vaccination, we’ll see an alleviation of some of those requirements to cross into Canada.”
Canada’s border has been closed to non-essential foreign travelers since March 2020.
The land border has been closed to all non-essential travel going both directions since March 2020, an agreement both Canada and the United States recently extended through July 21.
Air travellers have been able to leave and return to Canada, as long as they are eligible to enter the country.
The list of eligible travelers includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents and students. Essential workers are also allowed through the border.
Hajdu said the federal government is still working toward a timeline, saying it’s a combination of vaccination targets being hit and a desire to return the border to a somewhat degree of normalcy.
“The prime minister is really eager to take the next step forward, but also has really stressed that he wants to make sure we do have that foundation of safety here in the country. I think the targets are really the way to go, from my perspective,” Hajdu said.
According to the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, 76.5 per cent of those aged 12 and older have received their first vaccination, while 23.8 per cent have received both doses. Canada’s vaccine total is expected to hit 55.8 million by the end of July, which should be enough to hit the 75/75 target.
Hajdu said hospitalization and infection rates will also factor into any restriction changes this summer, along with input from the provinces and territories.
“Finally, we also have to keep an eye on what the virus is doing internationally.”
South of the border, the Restoring Northern Border Travel Act has been introduced in Congress by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.
"Extending the travel restrictions for yet another month, despite the tremendous progress the U.S. has made in fully vaccinating Americans and safely reopening, is absolutely unacceptable to the families, businesses, and communities along the northern border,” Stefanik said as reported by North Country Public Radio.
About 56.1 per cent of U.S. adults are fully vaccinated, according to the Centres for Disease Control.
