Starting at 12:01 Monday, the federal government will be easing some restrictions at the border. The new guidelines take effect as businesses in Ontario prepare to eliminate the vaccine passports.
Travellers will no longer need a PCR test to enter Canada. Instead, they can get a rapid antigen test as long as it’s performed in a medical facility.
Arriving travellers can still be selected for random PCR testing but they won’t have to isolate while they’re waiting for their test results as long as their fully vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated will still have to isolate for 14 days.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati says the new changes are not enough. “They should drop all testing at the border for anyone that is fully vaccinated. It’s pointless. It serves no purpose. It’s absolutely choking a hundred billion dollar tourism industry. The U.S. accounts for 50 percent of the revenue into Niagara, I can tell you we don’t want to ignore that.”
Businesses in Ontario are also getting ready for more changes this week. Starting on Tuesday the province is lifting all vaccine certificate requirements.
Even though establishments can continue vaccine passports on their own, many businesses CHCH News spoke with say they will be scrapping the passports and following other safety protocols.
According to the province, masking requirements will stay in place for now.
