Vancouver airport segregating passengers by vaccination status

Vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers arriving on international flights to YVR will now be asked to stand in separate lines.

Vancouver International Airport has installed new signs in its international arrivals hall, directing passengers into two lineups, one for those who are vaccinated, and one for those who are not.

The messages on the signs are written in English, French, and Chinese.

According to the Toronto Sun, a spokesperson for YVR stated that the splitting of passengers into different lines is because the "process' for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers is "very different," noting that the change came about as a result of the Trudeau government's decision to remove mandatory hotel quarantine requirements.

The YVR spokesperson claims that the signs are following guidance from the federal government, the Sun reports that Toronto's airport authority was "unaware" of the policy.

However, the Sun's Joe Warmington tweeted that he is hearing that the Toronto airport has the same signs and that the airport is working on a statement.

Canada recently announced that beginning August 8th, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to enter Canada for "non-essential" travel. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers will still be required to quarantine for 14 days and take 2 staggered COVID tests upon entry.

The signs at YVR are symbolic of a growing divide between those who are fully vaccinated with those who are not. Recent data shows that the vast majority of COVID cases in British Columbia last month occurred within the unvaccinated population.