Travellers entering Canada from other international destinations through the Vancouver International Airport are no longer separated based on their vaccination status.
The implementation of vaccinated or unvaccinated lines at YVR’s arrivals terminals sparked heated debates among people with some posting questions on Reddit.
“Which line does a vaccinated adult with three unvaccinated kids (under 12) go? Serious question, my wife is flying there Aug. 9,” read the most liked comment below the Reddit post.
In a media statement issued to the Richmond News on Thursday, a YVR spokesperson explained that they initially separated lines when the government approved the quarantine exemption for fully vaccinated travellers on July 5.
Robyn McVicker, YVR’s vice president of passenger journey, said the initiative was meant to “streamline the order clearance process as there are different requirements for each group.”
This policy has been dropped after taking effect a few weeks ago.
“However, the configuration of the two primary border control inspection lines and the volume of fully-vaccinated passengers did not achieve anticipated goals for a smooth passenger flow and faster processing times,” said McVicker.
McVicker added that as more vaccinated passengers than expected are entering the country, they need full use of the customs hall and assets.
Effective this Monday, passengers coming into the airport won’t be separated before reaching customs, read the media release.
“We recognize that the travel experience now looks different and are committed to keeping our passengers informed about what to expect when travelling through YVR,” the statement continues.
For more information on preparing for the trip, visit www.yvr.ca/ready.
