MONTREAL, Canada: In easing Covid restrictions, beginning February 28 Canada will no longer ask fully vaccinated travelers to provide PCR tests when entering the country, but will only require rapid tests, Federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos has announced.

Rapid tests need to be taken one day before arriving in Canada by air or across a land border.

The Canadian government will also no longer ask Canadians to avoid nonessential travel.

“I am happy to announce these changes today, as I know many of us are looking forward to living with fewer restrictions. However, we must continue to exercise prudence,” Duclos said.

“Let me be clear: Our fight against the virus is not over.”

Canada is also returning to a randomized testing surveillance program, which was in place before the Omicron variant’s surge.

Restrictions for children 11 and younger who are not fully vaccinated, and traveling with fully vaccinated parents, will be lifted. Children who fall in this category will no longer need to self-isolate before attending school, daycare or camp. They also will no longer be subject to testing.

Duclos said that while the announcement is “encouraging,” all measures are subject to “constant re-evaluation.”

Unvaccinated travelers will still be subjected to testing requirements and a 14-day quarantine.

Unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter Canada unless they meet one of the few exemptions.