In a move that could boost Canadian tourism, Canada has been promoted from level four to level three in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s country ratings system for COVID-19.
The Atlanta-based group, which makes travel recommendations for U.S. residents, made the change earlier this week. Level four suggests “very high” COVID levels and recommends against travel to the destination, to level three, which suggests “high” COVID levels but doesn’t recommend against travel. Instead, there’s merely a travel advisory for level three countries.
“Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to Canada,” the CDC site says. “If you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, avoid travel to Canada.”
The CDC moved Canada from level three to level four back on Jan. 10, 2022.
Tourism officials in Canada hope the move will spur greater visitation north of the border in the coming weeks and months.
“TIAC is pleased to see that the CDC is no longer warning Americans to avoid travel to Canada, and has dropped the travel health notice from Level 4 to Level 3,” said Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. “With the United States being our biggest inbound market, tourism businesses look forward to welcoming back these visitors.
“This move helps enhance TIAC’s work to show that Canada is open for business. Canada has lived up to its reputation as one of the safest destinations in the world throughout the pandemic, with among the highest vaccination rates. We look forward to this advisory continuing to level down,” Potter said.
“The decision by the CDC to lower it’s travel warning for Canada is a welcome and overdue move,” said Christopher Bloore, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. “In Ontario we know that combined with very high vaccination rates, our businesses are operating at the highest levels of health sand safety. For those international travellers, still deciding around the kitchen table where to visit this year. I hope this will be the final spur to encourage them to visit Canada and of course Ontario!”
