Travellers who entered Canada in the 14 days prior to October 1 will not be required to complete the remainder of their quarantine or isolation, or complete their testing requirements.

After two and a half years, Canada is one of the last countries to remove COVID-19 travel requirements.

Travellers, regardless of citizenship status, will no longer have to submit public health information, proof of vaccination, coronavirus test results before or after arrival or be subject to random P.C.R. testing. Canada will also be removing its requirement to wear masks while on planes and trains.

The government said that the decision is based on several factors, including high vaccination rates, lower hospitalisation and death rates, and the availability of vaccine boosters, rapid tests and treatments for COVID-19.

“Thanks largely to Canadians who have rolled up their sleeves to get vaccinated, we have reached the point where we can safely lift the sanitary measures at the border,” Jean-Yves Duclos, the minister of health, said in a statement.

Canada boasts one of the highest Covid-19 vaccination rates in the world, with 84 percent of its population fully vaccinated against the virus; about 50 percent have received a booster.

The move is likely to boost the Canadian travel industry, already booming after months of lull during the pandemic.

“As Canadians and international visitors look to make travel plans, the long-awaited removal of all remaining measures effective Oct. 1, 2022 will further expedite recovery for our industry and the Canadian economy,” Canada’s second-largest carrier WestJet Airlines said in a statement.

Craig Landry, executive vice president and COO at Air Canada, welcomed the news:

“Air Canada welcomes the removal of these restrictions, acknowledging that air travel is safe. We believe it will greatly facilitate travel, help to continue stabilizing the country’s air transport sector and support Canada’s economy. Customers and crew will still have the option to wear masks and we also encourage customers to monitor their own health to be sure they feel well and fit to travel.”