What does “in the process of being vaccinated” mean? Transport Canada clarifies

The Government of Canada’s upcoming mandatory vaccine requirement for travel by air, train and sea, starting Oct. 30, seems pretty straight forward...or is it?

The new rule, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Oct. 6, applies to air passengers flying on domestic, transborder or international flights departing from airports in Canada, rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains and marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more.

“By the end of October, everyone 12 or older on a plane or train in Canada should be fully vaccinated,” said Trudeau earlier this month. 

READ MORE: "No time for half measures": All air & rail travellers must be vaccinated by month's end, Trudeau says

There will be a “short period” during which people who are in the process of getting vaccinated can show a negative COVID-19 test, the PM said, noting that limited exceptions will be made.  

What does "in the process of" mean?

This official government backgrounder outlines almost everything. 

“For travellers who are in the process of being vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel. By November 30, all travellers must be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated,” reads the government document.

That, at first glance, seems to make sense. But what, exactly, does “in the process of being vaccinated” really mean?

Several travel advisors contacted PAX this week to see if we had any info on the matter. After all, “in the process of” getting a full COVID-19 vaccination is open to interpretation. 

For example: will unvaccinated air travellers, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 30, be required to show proof of a first dose (or proof of an appointment for their second dose?)

Will there be any additional checks at the airport, beyond the requested 72-hour test?  

Or, is that “short period” until Nov. 30 simply a transition period for unvaccinated travellers who are still on the fence about getting their shots (or who are literally "in the process" of getting their shots).

These are things travel advisors, as they guide their clients through this ever-changing system, need to know. 

PAX took these questions directly to Transport Canada, which confirmed, 100 per cent, that no additional checks related to showing proof of being “in the process” of being vaccinated will take place at Canadian airports. 

Only that negative 72-hour molecular test will be required, two spokespeople confirmed. 

“In order to travel by air, rail, or ship, travellers must be fully vaccinated as of November 30,” wrote Senior Communications Advisor Sau Sau Liu. “To allow travellers to become fully vaccinated by that date, there will be a short transition period starting October 30 where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel.”

“That transition period will end on November 30. If travellers have not already started the vaccination process, or do not start soon, they risk not qualifying for travel as of November 30.”

Trudeau said there will be only a few “extremely narrow exceptions” to the rule, like a valid medical condition, for those who want to travel this winter.

But Transport Canada, in an email to PAX, emphasized that most individuals, by the end of next month, will need their full series of COVID-19 shots in order to travel.  

“By November 30, all travellers aged 12 and up must be fully vaccinated with very limited exceptions,” said Frédérica Dupuis, senior advisor, media relations, communications group at Transport Canada.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.