To mask or unmask: travellers react to Canada’s updated border measures

Canada’s government announced that COVID-19 restrictions at Canada’s borders would be lifted on Saturday, Oct. 1 signalling the end of mandatory vaccination, random tests, quarantine, use of the ArriveCan app and masks on planes and trains.

Federal ministers confirmed that cabinet would not renew the order maintaining COVID-19 border measures when it expires on September 30. Canada-bound travellers will no longer be subject to random COVID-19 tests, and unvaccinated Canadians will not need to isolate when they return to the country.

ArriveCan’s much-discussed app is no longer mandatory. Perhaps surprisingly, as part of the announcement, the Liberal government confirmed that masks would no longer be compulsory on airplanes and trains.

Some travellers at Pearson airport have already stripped of wearing a mask, but others say they’ll continue to sport a face covering in various public settings, including airports and planes.

Ron tells CityNews he’s part of the latter group.

“We should be following the laws,” Ron said. “Research scientifically [what works best].”

One woman, a frequent traveller in and out of Pearson, says she’s found wearing masks on the plane rather uncomfortable.

“I didn’t mind wearing one to keep protected, but it became tedious, especially on long flights,” Tierra said in an email to CityNews.

“I would question if there was even a point [to the mask]. If I am sitting down beside strangers and we all take off our masks to eat or drink, then what happens? The virus can spread.”

Tierra said she would have kept wearing one had the public health measure been extended but is happy with the government’s decision.

“I’m all for staying safe. On short flights, I didn’t really care,” she continued.

“But I recently travelled to Europe with no layover. Wearing a mask for that long, seven or eight hours, was awful.

“Whoever wants to keep wearing [a mask] should be able to make that decision, but I’ll probably take it off once the mandate expires,” she said.

Miguel, a Toronto Pearson employee and frequent international traveller, noted that Canada is one of the last countries to remove a mask mandate at airports.

“Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico. None of them has the same mandates as Canada,” Miguel told CityNews. “I like the law, I follow the rules, but I think it’s time. If it’s time, then it’s time.”

Air Canada supports government’s decision

The Public Health Agency of Canada still strongly recommends wearing masks, particularly in crowded environments such as planes and trains.

In a statement issued on Monday, Air Canada officials rejoiced at the news, saying the public health measures “were not justified by science.”

“We believe it will greatly facilitate travel, help to continue stabilizing the country’s air transport sector and support Canada’s economy,” said Craig Landry, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada.

“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.”

Landry urged the government “not to lose momentum.”

“Lessons learned during the pandemic should now be applied to streamlining the air transport system in Canada and to enact further reforms,” he said.

“This includes improving processes, such as security and customs at airports, developing new trusted traveller programs, deploying new technologies and, more fundamentally, re-examining the user-pay model that finances air transportation in Canada, whose weaknesses and interdependencies were exposed by COVID-19.”

COVID-19 is still considered an infectious disease under the Quarantine Act, and federal officials say travellers who become sick en route or when they arrive in Canada should flag a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer.

With files from The Canadian Press.