Pearson & YVR Are U-Turning On Their Decision To Separate Passengers By Vaccination Status
The reversal was made just a few days after their decision went public.
Pearson & YVR Are U-Turning On Their Decision To Separate Passengers By ...
After their initial decision made headlines across Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport have said that they will not have different lines for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
Beverly MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, told Narcity that Toronto Pearson has come to the conclusion that separating vaccinated and non/partially-vaccinated travellers in different lines has a minimal effect on operational efficiency.
As of July 26, this practice will no longer be performed at Pearson and entry into Canada requirements based on vaccination status will be enforced once a passenger gets to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
Melanie Belanger-Finn with the Vancouver Airport Authority told Narcity that passengers entering YVR from the U.S. or any other international destination won't be separated based on their vaccination status before they reach customs.
Having different lines for vaccinated and non/partially-vaccinated travellers was meant to "streamline the border clearance process" because each group has different requirements. However, Belanger-Finn said that the lines didn't make the passenger flow smoother or faster.
"As more vaccinated passengers than expected are entering the country, we need the full use of the customs hall and assets," Belanger-Finn explained.
Although some travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Americans are set to be eased in August, CBSA is still warning people to avoid non-essential travel from the U.S. to Canada for the time being.