Ottawa, Ontario (CNN) Most commercial travelers traveling to Canada by air, train or large ships will need to be fully vaccinated by the fall.

Canada’s Transport Minister Omar al-Ghubra said during a virtual press conference on Friday that the vaccination requirement includes “all commercial air travelers, passengers on inter-provincial trains and passengers of large overnight stays such as cruise ships”. “. “.

Canadian ministers, speaking at the press conference, said they wanted to “set an example” for other employers and Canadians as they continue to try to safely reopen other sectors of the economy.

The statement said: “While Air Canada awaits more details on today’s announcement regarding mandatory vaccination, it is a welcome move in developing measures to protect the health and safety of airline employees, customers and all Canadians.” A worthy move.”

In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security is not considering vaccinating passengers on domestic flights, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorca told CNN Pamela Brown on Friday.

“Not at this point,” he said, moving the subject.

At least two American Airlines executives said they did not expect vaccinations to be required for domestic travel.

Kirby said vaccinations may be required for some international flights.

“Development” of compulsory vaccination

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said over the past few months that he does not think a vaccine mandate will be necessary.

His ministers withdrew their positions on Friday, saying their position was an “evolution of the government’s position” in light of new scientific data, adding that the new policy is an incentive to vaccinate Canadians.

Ministers said exemptions were granted for refusing vaccination for documented medical reasons, but they were inconclusive about what would happen to staff who refused vaccination despite the mandate.

“Do you know what Canadians don’t want? Canadians don’t want to go back to the ban. Canadians don’t want to go back to the travel restrictions. Canadians want to move on with their lives and get back to normal as soon as possible and You know it’s not unusual for the government to take on a regulatory role,” Alagbra said. When it comes to protecting the public health and safety of Canadians.

While this is a comprehensive policy that has been implemented nationwide, many Canadian provinces do not currently require full vaccination of health or educational workers as a condition of employment.

Canadian public health officials confirmed on Thursday that the country is in the grip of a fourth wave of COVID-19 and that the virus is progressing “strongly”.

In Canada, the number of active COVID cases has doubled in just two weeks, and hospitalizations have increased by more than 10% in the past week alone.

CNN’s Marnie Hunter and Geneva Sands contributed to this report.
Photo: Passengers depart after taking a COVID-19 test at Vancouver International Airport on February 22, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia (Photo via Getty Images by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency)