Canada allows international students to enter the country
As from 20 October, Canada allows the international students to enter the country to study if the institution they are studying at has a Covid-19 readiness plan endorsed by their local provincial or territorial government. Schools and universities will require a Covid-19 readiness plan before international students can return. The new regulations were announced substituting the previous rules that students could only enter the country if they had issued a study permit on or before 18 March. Students will be still subject to health checks and quarantines requirements.
The news means that all international students will be entitled regardless of where they are travelling from or when was approved their study permit. Universities Canada, an organization, unifying and supporting universities in Canada voiced that the institutions are very pleased that the government has amended travel restrictions to allow international students to begin safely entering the country. All institutions will need to follow the given rules to be given the right to accept the students; breaking the rules can lead to fine or imprisonment.
Each school needs to determine protocols for the health of students in case there are suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases at the school. They have to specify how the information will be provided to international students on health and travel requirements before they arrive in Canada, help students with their quarantine plans and provide direction or assistance in having the necessities, such as food and medication, during their quarantine.
This announcement is a very positive development for the institutions across Canada and reflects that the collective preparations and plan for the safe arrival of international students has been a success. The schools are aware that international travel remains complex and that many Visa Application Centers stay closed, so hybrid studying will continue to be an option for the time being.
The universities and schools have worked with their respective provincial government and local public health to make sure that they provide a safe and welcoming environment for their students.
One of the colleges Tamwood that runs language centres and other programs across Canada told that its planning involved partnering with a specialist in infectious diseases to establish their quarantine protocol plan, as well as consulting with various levels of government.
However, this does not mean that all international students will be able to return to Canada. For some students, the return is still complicated due to the visa centres still closed, for example, in countries like India.
According to Universities Canada, a continuous increase in international students coming to Canada is expected over the next few months, with a potential peak in arrival in time for the start of the winter semester in January. Students will be still, in many cases, challenged by the developing conditions of the pandemic in their home countries.
