Canada not ready to drop mask mandate for flights, travel

Despite moves south of the border to end a masking mandate for public transit and air passengers, Canada is not ready to do the same.

The federal government says in a statement to CityNews there is no change to the policy here, adding the top priority is keeping Canadians safe.

“We are taking a layered approach to keeping travellers safe, and masks remain an incredibly useful tool in our arsenal against COVID-19,” the statement reads in part.

The government goes on to say that masks remain an incredibly useful tool against COVID-19 and that any decisions will be made on the latest public health advice.

Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says Canada makes a great effort to make sure the country is in line with “our friends south of the border” but it doesn’t always work out that way.

“There were times where there wasn’t complete and total symmetry and that was based on the best available evidence and science and data that was accessible to our respective jurisdictions. When we [make] decisions either internationally, when it comes to our border, or whether it comes to our communities — it is always done with the Canadian interests in mind,” Mendicino said.

“With regards to masks, look, let’s again follow the evidence. Let’s listen very carefully to what public health care experts are telling us on that front. What we’re hearing is that BA.1 and BA.2 are a particularly, you know, contagious variants, which means you have to be smart and sensible about it.”

He says restrictions should be lifted at a responsible pace.

In the U.S., a federal judge struck down that country’s mask mandate, saying the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overstepped its authority in issuing the original health order on which the TSA directive was based.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle also said in her 59-page ruling that the order was fatally flawed because the CDC didn’t follow proper rulemaking decisions.

The ruling still gives entities, like those that oversee planes, airports, taxis, and other mass transit, the option of keeping masking rules in place, meaning directives could vary from city to city.

---

Related articles: 

• International travelers must wear a mask for 14 days after returning home to Canada

• Emotional reunions as YVR reopens international meet and greet area

• Vaccinated travellers to Canada no longer need to be tested for COVID-19

---

The decision by Mizelle, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, was met with cheers on some airplanes but also some concern from many wondering if now is the right time to scale back on the pandemic measure.

According to the Government of Canada’s measures, people are required to wear masks at all times throughout their travel journey. It notes anyone who refuses to wear a mask when directed to do so could face fines.

Masks remain required in all Canadian airports.

-With files from The Associated Press and Claire Fenton