March 12 - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given the strongest indication yet that Canada could adopt a policy of vaccination passports for international travel, in line with a growing number of countries around the world.

 

At his COVID-19 briefing this morning, Trudeau was asked about vaccination passports, a hot topic lately. On March 1 the president of the European Commission said the EC will present plans for a possible vaccination passport this month.

 

As recently as January 2021 Trudeau said he was opposed to the concept, however in recent weeks his wording has suggested he’s leaving the door open.

 

This morning Trudeau was careful to distinguish between vaccination passports for international travel, and proof of vaccination for use domestically.

 

When it comes to certification of vaccinations for travel, “that’s something that has existed for a long time,” said Trudeau today. “This is a well-established practice.”

 

He added: “This is something countries are actively exploring. And we are among those countries.”

 

“I’m not excluding anything,” he said this morning, adding “we’ll see how the next months unfold.”

 

On the other hand, he said, issues of equity and fairness could arise if proof of vaccination is required for everyday activities.

 

According to a report in the Globe and Mail, in the coming weeks the federal government’s science advisor will submit feedback on if and how Canada should adopt vaccination passports.

 

When the issue last came up earlier this month, Trudeau said that at that time that from the outset of the pandemic, “the experts’ recommendations evolve and the data evolves,” and added that the Canadian government “will be following their best advice.”

 

While there are potential pitfalls for vaccination passports, several travel agents Travelweek spoke to last month were largely in favour of anything, including vaccination passports, that can help jumpstart travel after almost a year of pandemic restrictions.

Source: Travelweek

 

 

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