(TAN): Canada will reopen its borders for international students and extended family members, Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said. However, there was no update about tourists.
Starting October 20, students who are registered with a Canadian university will be allowed to enter the country. However, only those universities that have a Covid-19 readiness plan approved by the government are allowed to admit students.
[ALSO READ: India starts air bubble with Oman for smooth travel amid Covid-19]
The government said it will also extend visits to family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, including those in an exclusive dating relationship for at least one year, and their dependent children, as well as adult children, grandchildren, siblings and grandparents, according to reports.
“The pandemic is an ongoing threat and we need to continue to be cautious and restrictive about who can enter into Canada,” Vancouver Sun quoted Mendicino as saying, “We recognize, however, that these restrictions should not keep loved ones apart.”
[ALSO READ: Kimpton opens fourth UK hotel in iconic Clock Tower building of Manchester]
The border between Canada and the US has been closed since March to non essential travel because of the pandemic. Mandatory quarantine measures, which require travellers to quarantine for 14 days upon entry to Canada, will remain in effect. The process of how the travellers will be able to enter will shortly be published online and those who have the needed documentation can arrive beginning October 8, say reports.
The new regulation will also be allowing people to come across the border on compassionate reasons in specific circumstances, such as to see a dying loved one. Local media reports that those granted compassionate entry may also be exempt from the current 14-day quarantine requirement, pending discussions with local health officials.
Would not a negative Covid test within 72 hours or even the quick test administered at the border be a far superior method of protecting the Canadian population and end the ridiculous notion of a 14 day quarantine period?? People coming to visit may have been subject to job loss or closures and may not be financially able to do such an archaic thing as hunker down in a hotel for 14 days waiting to get the all clear? If they do have a job to go back to, they will have used up their whole vacation time on quarantine. Please use some common sense in the search for a remedy of our current dilemma.