Brent Pinheiro
brent.pinheiro@guardian.co.tt
Nationals fully vaccinated with Sinopharm will soon be able to travel to Canada without needing to quarantine on arrival. Yesterday the Government of Canada announced that effective November 30, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and COVAXIN would be added to the list of approved COVID-19 vaccines matching the WHO Emergency Use Listing.
To be considered fully vaccinated, you must have either received at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. A mix of two approved vaccines is also allowed. Your second dose must be administered 14 full days prior to the day of entering Canada. A pre-entry molecular COVID-19 test result for all travellers five years of age or older remains a requirement for entry. Antigen tests are not accepted.
Anyone wishing to enter Canada can use our local Ministry of Health vaccination cards to show proof of vaccination. However, it is strongly recommended that you get a WHO International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) card from your nearest CMOH office. A guide on how to get a new one or update your existing card is available here.
Before arriving in Canada, all travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan. The Government of Canada website lists all eligibility requirements to enter Canada; ensure that you meet all entry requirements before heading to the airport. You can check your eligibility using the Government of Canada travel tool.