The testing requirement will only be dropped for fully vaccinated travellers. Passengers may still be subjected to random PCR testing upon arrival at the airport, and travellers will still have to use the ArriveCAN app to enter their proof of vaccination and other required information.

Currently, fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Canada are required to present proof of a negative test result from a professionally administered antigen test, which can cost up to $200.

Canada’s vaccine mandate for domestic and international flights departing from Canada, for VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains and for cruise ships will remain in effect for now.

The move comes two years into the pandemic, and was enthusiastically received by members of Canada’s tourism industry. The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, an industry group, previously identified the testing requirement as a significant deterrent, discouraging international companies from resuming travel into Canada.

The United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland and India are among the countries that have dropped their testing requirements already.

The United States, Canada’s closest neighbour, currently still requires a negative antigen test for vaccinated travellers who arrive by air.

Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault will formally announce the change to the regulations later today.