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Canada's Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, made an announcement on Thursday that from November 1, 2021, Canada will allow cruise ships to sail. However, they will require full compliance with public health requirements. This decision has been taken with the COVID-19 approach in view of the improving conditions in Canada.
Earlier this year, the Canadian government extended the ban on ship cruises until late February 2022, citing public health. There was no hope in Canada until the spring season began. But, after all, there is now a date for the ship cruises return.
In February, the ban on large ships carrying more than 100 people was extended for a year. But, prohibition on cruise ships will no longer be effective on a condition for those operators if they comply fully with public health requirements.
“As Canadians have done their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our government continues to work hard to safely restart our economy and build back better. We will welcome cruise ships—an important part of our tourism sector—back in Canadian waters for the 2022 season.” Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra said in a statement.
Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, has thanked the federal government for working collaboratively and constructively with BC, and stating that it is an important part of BC's economy.
"We know that cruise ship passengers want a Canadian experience in British Columbia, and we know that British Columbians want to welcome them to our cities when it is safe to do so.” - The Honourable Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said in the announcement.
The news of the lifting of the ban will certainly please operators who had expressed displeasure that their business on the West Coast is suffering due to the Canadian ban. Because of the ban, U.S. law also obliges cruise ships sailing from Washington to Alaska to make Canadian stops.
The end date for the cruise ship ban in Canada has been set, but still the ban on non-essential travel with the United States has not been lifted. Travel restrictions across land borders between both Canada and the US were extended until July 21.
But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that "the Canadian government could start allowing for all non-essential travel between Canada and the United States by mid-August for fully vaccinated travelers", the most important factor in this is the vaccination rates.
Currently, over 68% of Canadians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while about 43% have been fully vaccinated.
Trudeau also pointed out that "the maritime and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic. As we reopen safely, we are already preparing for the upcoming cruise season that will help grow our economy."
According to a report by the Department of Transportation, the cruise industry contributes more than $4 billion in revenue to the Canadian economy annually, creates 30,000 jobs and is a significant part of the tourism sector.
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