YVR arrivals terminal splits passengers by COVID-19 vaccination status

EDITOR’S NOTE: After this story was published, YVR announced it will no longer separate travellers into two customs lines based on their vaccination status. 

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’re flying into YVR from outside of Canada, you’ll notice some separation inside the airport. There is now one line for passengers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and another for unvaccinated travellers.

Robyn McVicker, vice president of Passenger Journey at YVR, says dividing passengers this way helps determine the next steps upon arrival.

“For vaccinated passengers, if they meet the criteria of having had a Canadian-approved vaccine, at least 14 days prior to travel, then they don’t have to do the two weeks of quarantine upon arrival into Canada. Additionally, there’s no longer a government-approved hotel that they have to stay at,” she explained.

If you aren’t fully vaccinated, you’ll need to set up 14-day quarantine plans with airport staff. People who only have one dose will be considered unvaccinated.

YVR – separate lines for unvaccinated vs fully-vaccinated passengers
byu/sereniti81 invancouver

McVicker says it will be a faster process for Canadians who have received both doses, noting all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, need to provide travel information in the ArriveCAN app.

The separate queues at YVR are only at the international arrivals terminal, not at the departures terminal.

“When people are departing YVR to another country … they will all go through the same process,” McVicker confirmed, adding people flying to other countries are responsible for adhering to their destination’s entry requirements.

Anyone arriving into Canada must have a negative PCR test completed 72 hours before departure.

Related articles:

• Canada eases quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers

• Travellers waiting up to six days for quarantine COVID-19 test results

Right now, only Canadians and others with exemptions (such as the immediate family of Canadians or permanent residents and international students with valid paperwork) are allowed into the country without the need to quarantine, provided they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Aug. 9, it’s Americans, and then if all goes well and we’re still meeting all of the criteria, then after Sept. 7, that opens up to the world,” McVicker noted.

Masks are still mandatory in the airport and aboard flights. McVicker notes starting Aug. 9, departing passengers will no longer be subject to temperature checks.