Canada issues vaccine mandate for air travel, federal workers

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) - To travel in Canada by air or rail, you will have to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

“If you haven’t gotten your shots yet but want to travel this winter, let’s be clear, there will only be a few extremely narrow exceptions, like a valid medical condition. For the vast, vast majority of people, the rules are very simple: to travel, you’ve got to be vaccinated,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

That’s for anyone 12 and older. It takes effect Oct. 30 but there is a grace period to become fully vaccinated.

Officials say all core federal government workers, members of Canada’s national police force and the armed forces must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 29. Workers who refuse to roll up their sleeves will not be allowed to go to their jobs, not even remotely and will be denied their pay.

Trudeau says 88% of Canadians eligible for the vaccine have had at least a single shot.

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