WATCH: Feds drop need for COVID-19 test to enter Canada

The federal government has announced that fully vaccinated travellers will not need a COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of April 1.

All inbound travellers will still need to upload their details to the ArriveCan app.

Lisanne Ballantyne, President & CEO, Tourism Kelowna, said in a statement to Kelowna10, the announcement is an important step to recovery, as it removes barriers for not just travel, but for the leisure and businesses sector as well.

“The last two years have been challenging for local tourism businesses both to generate revenue and respond to changing business requirements,” she said. “We hope businesses can return to more predictable operations and get back to what they love to do.”

In a press conference Thursday morning, Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, said while the announcement is encouraging, the government will continue to adjust as the situation evolves in Canada and abroad.

“I would like to thank Canadians for doing their part. Getting vaccinated, and for many of you getting boosters, and following public health advice,” he said. “We have the power individually and collectively to reduce the impact of the virus on our lives.”

He added vaccinated people could also still be subject to random molecular tests when they arrive at Canadian airports and unvaccinated Canadians returning home will still need to isolate for 14 days, and be tested on arrival, and eight days later.

The news comes at the tail end of the Omicron wave in Canada, as new reported cases of COVID-19 have declined since mid-January.

The World Health Organization says the number of cases internationally has begun to creep up in the Western Pacific region, Africa and Europe.

--With files from The Canadian Press.