By Paul Vieira
OTTAWA--Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday further relaxing of border restrictions due to Covid-19 could happen in a matter of weeks, so long as vaccination rates continue at the current elevated pace.
His optimistic tone at a press conference was in stark contrast to a day earlier, when Canadian officials declined to provide guidance on next steps in gradually reopening its borders to tourists and allowing Canadians to visit the U.S. Officials did say they wanted to have a "significant majority" of Canadians fully vaccinated, or minimum 75%, before considering lifting border restrictions.
"We're doing things gradually but we're talking about weeks, and not months anymore," Mr. Trudeau said. He added that roughly 21% of Canadians eligible for vaccination, or 12 years of age and older, have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Canada could get to its target of having the bulk of the population fully vaccinated "even sooner," he said, "if Canadians continue to be so enthusiastic about getting those two doses that they need."
Canada and the U.S. agreed last week to extend a ban on nonessential, or tourist, crossings along their 5,500-mile land border until July 21, or roughly four weeks. Canada continues to ban entry by U.S. and non-American tourists, via air or ship. On Monday, Canada said it would no longer require fully vaccinated citizens or permanent residents to quarantine upon return from travel, conditional on test results.
To date, business groups in Canada have been critical of the government's gradual approach, and lack of a road map or plan on border reopening, warning that thousands of businesses in the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors are at risk.
Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
06-22-21 1311ET
