All travelers are now required to be fully vaccinated to travel on federally regulated air, rail and marine services.

The federal government had implemented a one-month grace period where proof of a negative COVID-19 test was accepted for travel but that ended on Tuesday.

The government says testing exemptions will only be allowed in extremely limited emergency situations.

Air travel operators will be responsible for verifying proof of vaccination which can include paper copies or provincial vaccination passports.

Tuesday also marked the return of international flights at Hamilton’s John C. Munro Airport. During the pandemic, only ten Canadian airports were allowed to accept international arrivals.

“I think what it’s doing is helping to restore confidence in travel. It gives customers that comfort that other travelers on board are in the same vaccination status as them,” said Dina Carlucci, Director, Business Development & Customer Experience, John C. Munro Airport. “I talk to the airlines regularly and there is quite a bit of pent-up demand for these international snowbird-type destinations.”

Many travelers at Hamilton airport said they are looking forward to traveling internationally once again and spending time with friends and family.