Through newly introduced federal legislation, which took effect Oct. 30, air passengers departing from certain “specified airports” in Canada will now have to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or must provide a valid test result from a molecular Covid-19 test.
But the measures are not yet applicable to the NWT.
The Government of Canada is providing air carriers at dozens of gateway airports with self-administered rapid Covid-19 molecular test kits at no charge, according to Sonia Idir, spokesperson for the GNWT Department of Infrastructure. However, proof of vaccine and valid tests will not be required locally until at least Nov. 5.
“Until local testing capacity is fully in place, unvaccinated travellers departing from Yellowknife will not be required to provide proof of vaccine or a valid test,” Idir said. “We expect local testing to be operational in Yellowknife on Nov. 5, pending test kit arrival.
“Once the tests arrive, local testing will be in place at the main Yellowknife Airport terminal as well as at the smaller terminals in Yellowknife” she said, referring to examples such as Air Tindi and North-Wright Airways.
As well, for now, those departing “remote communities” will not have to provide proof of vaccine or proof of negative test prior to departing. However, this will be required for travel beyond a gateway airport or return travel. If travellers cannot provide proof of vaccine, they must be tested at a gateway airport prior to boarding their next flight.
The list of gateway airports and other details can be found on the Government of Canada website under Proof of vaccination for Indigenous peoples and Northerners in remote communities.
Kyle Newhook, operations manager for North-Wright Airways, said his airline is doing its part to create awareness and provide assistance so that fewer people are prevented from boarding their flights in the future.
“North-Wright Airways has decided to ask for proof of vaccination out of every airport that we service,” he said. “Now, while it’s not a mandate out of all the airports, with exception of Yellowknife (in the near future), the reason why we’re doing it is to educate. It’s not currently a mandate, but it is to prepare customers for what we believe is to come — just to help in the event that they are travelling to Yellowknife and they don’t know or understand the rules to get out of Yellowknife.”
Idir said it’s not yet clear what the requirements will be for proof of vaccination and/or testing for air travellers in the NWT beyond Nov. 30, as the Government of Canada will no longer be accepting the molecular test as an alternative to vaccination at that point.
“The Government of Canada has stated that it will work with provinces, territories and national indigenous organizations to refine the approach for the next phase of implementation,” she said.
According to Canadian North, individuals considered to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 must have received the approved number of doses of the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty – two doses; Moderna Spikevax – two doses; AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD – two doses; and Jansen/Johnson and Johnson – one dose, according to information provided by Canadian North.
Canadian North also reminded individuals that fully vaccinated means “14 days after the final dose of a Health Canada Covid-19 vaccination regimen.”
As well, passengers must provide written documentation they must have tested negative for Covid-19 within the last 72 hours using a molecular test — antigen tests are not valid — or must have tested positive for Covid-19 between 14 and 180 days from departure using a molecular test.
Exceptions may be considered for anyone under age 12 years and four months; those under age 16 who are travelling alone; and those not travelling from “specified airports,” for example, those going from Pangnirtung to Iqaluit will not result in the traveller being subject to this mandate, but they will be subject for their return from Iqaluit to Pangnirtung.
Canadian North will provide updated information when available. The airline asks people to visit the Government of the Northwest Territories website to confirm first that you are able to travel. As well, isolation upon entering the Northwest Territories may be necessary. Travellers must submit a self-isolation plan in advance.