The Trudeau government is easing restrictions on the border and will be allowing international students and extended family members back into the country.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the changes on Friday, despite a worrying trend of new coronavirus cases among Canadians.
“The Government of Canada will be introducing a process to allow entry for extended family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents. In addition, we will be creating a process to allow foreign nationals to come to Canada for compassionate reasons in limited circumstances and with limited release from mandatory quarantine,” claimed a news release on the subject.
The Trudeau government hopes to introduce a new process for foreign nationals to enter Canada for “compassionate reasons” such as a funeral or for people who require medical support.
As for international students, they will be able to attend Canadian universities beginning on October 20. Only those universities with a coronavirus readiness plan in place will be allowed to accept the students.
“As part of their plans, DLIs are expected to provide specifics to their provincial or territorial government on how they will provide information to international students on health and travel requirements before they arrive in Canada, help students with their quarantine plans and provide guidance or assistance in acquiring the necessities of life, such as food and medication, during their quarantine,” said a news release.
Both Canada and the United States have agreed to extend their border closures into the near future, but international flights continue unabated into the country.
According to Canada Border Services Association (CBSA) data from May, over 300,000 people travelled on international flights into Canada since March of this year.
More recently, the CBSA identified 55 international flights which carried passengers who were infected with the coronavirus into Canada.
