Questions for Sinopharm vaccinated visitors

[adeelhps113]

Hi,
I had a few questions

1. how many additional doses of pfizer ( boosters ) visitors need who are already vaccinated twice with Sinopharm to be exempted from quarantine , is it 1 or 2?

2. Starting Oct30, new travel restrictions are coming where people without the approved vaccines will not be allowed to board planes in Canada, how do people with Sinopharm or any other non accepted vaccine will travel if they dont have a booster?

please advise

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi,
I had a few questions

1. how many additional doses of pfizer ( boosters ) visitors need who are already vaccinated twice with Sinopharm to be exempted from quarantine , is it 1 or 2?

2. Starting Oct30, new travel restrictions are coming where people without the approved vaccines will not be allowed to board planes in Canada, how do people with Sinopharm or any other non accepted vaccine will travel if they dont have a booster?

please advise

1. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:

• have received at least 2 doses of a Government of Canada-accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
  • or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

2. You aren’t considered fully vaccinated so can’t board a plane.

 

[adeelhps113]

Thanks for your response:
1. To clarify, they still need 2 doses of approved vaccines even if they had 2 doses of unapproved ones ?

2. They cant board a plane if they have Sinopharm, which means if they were alreasy in Canada they would have to get 2 Pfizer or Moderna (or any approved) shots before being allowed to go back ?

wow the second point looks a bit scary for most visitors already in the country unless they address this gap.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks for your response:
1. To clarify, they still need 2 doses of approved vaccines even if they had 2 doses of unapproved ones ?

2. They cant board a plane if they have Sinopharm, which means if they were alreasy in Canada they would have to get 2 Pfizer or Moderna (or any approved) shots before being allowed to go back ?

wow the second point looks a bit scary for most visitors already in the country unless they address this gap.

They may change what vaccinations are accepted, but right now only the ones on their list.

 

[adeelhps113]

So comparing both statements, if a pperson is only vaccinated completely with sinopharm, not sure what they should do:

1. They can come to Canada and quarantine for 14 days , thats fine.
2. But they cant travel on plane ( even if they are coming from outside Canada to say like Edmonton or Winnpeg ) coz they cant board local flight. SO they must stay in Toronto or travel by car from Toronto to those places ?

 

[bryce343]

1. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:

• have received at least 2 doses of a Government of Canada-accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
  • or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

2. You aren’t considered fully vaccinated so can’t board a plane.

Where do you see number 2 or are you just stating your opinion?

From my understanding International travel to canada will still be allowed but 14 day quaritine applies, furthurmore the vaccine wont be required for international travelers to leave canada..

 

[adeelhps113]

But if they have to take a connecting flight then ?
For example ,if they have to visit Edmonton, cant they do it ? as its domestic travel.

For clarity ;

If we book a flight for them after Nov 1st, from outside Canada to Edmonton, how will they be able to get into the domestic flight portion of the journey ?

 

[bryce343]

So comparing both statements, if a pperson is only vaccinated completely with sinopharm, not sure what they should do:

1. They can come to Canada and quarantine for 14 days , thats fine.
2. But they cant travel on plane ( even if they are coming from outside Canada to say like Edmonton or Winnpeg ) coz they cant board local flight. SO they must stay in Toronto or travel by car from Toronto to those places ?

Not enough is known yet but the PM has said there will be extremely rare exceptions, my guess is thouse who are visiting family will be allowed to transit but will need to provide proof of being foreigner and likely more tests..

On that subject Other provinces who have vaccine passports have said the same.

 

[adeelhps113]

So is it safe to book a flight at this point ? or should I wait for further instructions.
I don't want them to be in a hassle during their connecting flights.

This is really confusing, hopefully they accept Sinopharm soon. From what I know, Sinopharm hasnt even submitted their application for it until now.

 

[Naturgrl]

Where do you see number 2 or are you just stating your opinion?

From my understanding International travel to canada will still be allowed but 14 day quaritine applies, furthurmore the vaccine wont be required for international travelers to leave canada..

Not my opinion. As of November 30 to go on a plane, train etc. you must be fully vaccinated.

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/10/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federally-regulated-transportation-employees-and-travellers.html

 

[adeelhps113]

Yes thats what I was wondering, what will they do for the vaccinated but not accepted by Canada Health.
I will have to keep an eye on the news as they surely need to provide more details for in transit passengers.

 

[scylla]

Yes thats what I was wondering, what will they do for the vaccinated but not accepted by Canada Health.
I will have to keep an eye on the news as they surely need to provide more details for in transit passengers.

I personally feel the rules aren't 100% clear at this time and can be interpreted in slightly different ways. I would hold off booking the tickets until the rules become clearer.

 

[adeelhps113]

I also agree hundred percent, hopefully we will get more clarity soon

 

[bryce343]

Not my opinion. As of November 30 to go on a plane, train etc. you must be fully vaccinated.

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/10/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federally-regulated-transportation-employees-and-travellers.html

your link clearly says departing from canada airports...
the main reason for this is to encourage vaccine usage. It doesn't say if you have sinopharm your not allowed in canada

 

[Naturgrl]

your link clearly says departing from canada airports...
the main reason for this is to encourage vaccine usage. It doesn't say if you have sinopharm your not allowed in canada

The OP was asking about connecting flights so when in transit they would be asked for proof of vaccination to board.