FACT BRIEF

Does Canada have stronger COVID vaccine mandates for travelers than the US?

Monday, October 11, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

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YES

Canada has imposed stricter COVID-19 vaccine requirements for travelers than the U.S.

While the U.S. requires all visitors to the U.S. to have tested negative for COVID-19 no more than three days before their flights, Canada only admits fully-vaccinated foreign visitors. Canada has also announced that by the end of October it will require that anyone traveling by commercial airline, interprovincial train or cruise ship be fully vaccinated as well. The U.S. has no such mandate.

Both countries have announced policies requiring their federal employees to be vaccinated. The Biden administration is also developing requirements covering businesses with more than 100 employees.

As of Oct. 9, the Centers for Disease Control says that 56.4% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. As of Oct. 2, Canada's official count says 71.1% of its population is fully vaccinated.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Government of Canada Canada to require vaccination of federal workforce and federally regulated transportation sector

Centers for Disease Control Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

AP News Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans

Centers for Disease Control CDC COVID Data Tracker

Government of Canada National vaccination coverage

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