OTTAWA – Following a two-year ban imposed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Transport Canada announced that cruise ships will be allowed to enter Canadian waters in April.

According to reports, passengers and crew on cruise ships must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to Transport Canada.

Only passengers under the age of 12 and those with medical exemptions are exempt from vaccination.To board a ship, passengers must have a negative Covid-19 test. A molecular test, such as a PCR, will be accepted if taken within 72 hours of boarding, and an antigen test will be accepted if taken within a day of boarding. Mask rules will be implemented in accordance with local/provincial health guidelines, and cruise ships will be required to have testing facilities on board so that passengers can take another Covid-19 test before disembarking.

"We welcome cruise ships, which are an important part of our tourism sector, back to Canada, and we will continue to work with partners to support this important industry," said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.The cruise ship industry employs approximately 30,000 people and contributes more than 40 billion-canadian dollar to the Canadian economy.The measures prohibiting cruise ships from entering Covid-19 were first announced on March 19, 2020.

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