With just days to go before a federal vaccine mandate for truck drivers is set to come into effect, the federal government says Canadian truckers will be exempt from Canada’s new rules but are still expected to face restrictions once the reciprocal American policy comes into effect. In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advised unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Canadian truck drivers arriving at the border will remain exempt from pre-arrival, on arrival and post-arrival testing and quarantine requirement. Previously it was understood that Canada’s vaccine mandate would require all truckers entering Canada to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that foreign nationals would be turned away, while unvaccinated Canadian truckers would have to quarantine upon arrival.
The CBSA has confirmed that the January 15 mandate will still come into effect for non-Canadian truckers coming into this country at the U.S. border. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals, including American truck drivers, will be prohibited entry into Canada as of this date, however, if drivers are able to provide evidence confirming a contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccines, they may be granted an exemption.
On January 22nd, the U.S. will apply the same requirement on foreign nationals to Canadian truckers. All inbound non-U.S. persons crossing at U.S. land point of entries or ferry terminals – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
We will continue to monitor this situation and advise accordingly.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
