Pearson Airport in Mississauga could get busier since Canada quietly lifted blanket travel advisory

The number of travellers taking flights out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga could be on the rise now that the Canadian government has quietly lifted a blanket advisory against all non-essential travel outside the country. 

Under previous guidelines, which had been in place since March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began, all travellers regardless of vaccination status were advised to avoid international travel deemed non-essential. 

New advisories from Ottawa suggest only that those who remain unvaccinated should avoid non-essential international travel. 

In a statement, the Public Health Agency of Canada said Canadians should be fully vaccinated before taking their trip and urged travellers to follow public health measures at their destination. 

It also urged travellers to take personal protective measures when abroad, such as wearing a mask, washing hands and maintaining physical distancing where possible. 

Travelling Canadians can visit the World Health Organization website to stay informed of COVID-19 activity at their destination. 

As of Oct. 30, all travellers aged 12 and older must show proof of vaccination or a negative test result for the virus or they’ll risk being turned away from boarding flights at Pearson and other airports.  

The same goes for those looking to board VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains as well as people looking to travel on non-essential marine vessels such as cruise ships, Ottawa announced last week. 

But as of Dec. 1, the negative test alternative will no longer be accepted, and all travellers must have proof of full vaccination. 

In Ontario, the new QR code/vaccine certificate unveiled last week will be accepted for international travel.