Airline Updates- Copa Airlines (CM)
| COM-22-020 Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 |
| Temporary exemption request to the federal vaccination mandate of passengers departing Canada |
| Dear Travel Agencies, Canadian authorities have established requirements for passengers traveling from Canada: all passengers over the age of 12 years and 4 months must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival at the final destination. Travelers must apply directly to the air carrier in advance of their flight to be considered for the following set of limited exemptions to the vaccination mandate, in order to obtain the necessary approval documents: A. Medical inability to be vaccinated. B. Essential medical services and treatment (including those requiring an escort). C. Sincerely held Religious Belief. Copa Airlines will accept/approve or deny temporary exemptions for passengers for medical inability to receive vaccinations, essential medical services, and treatments, or sincerely held religious beliefs, based on the guidelines detailed by the authority. REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS Passengers requiring an exemption must apply via the COVID-19 Temporary Exemption for Vaccination Request Form for Departure from Canada on copa.com and comply with the following requirements: A. Temporary exemption for medical contraindication Medical reasons that may entitle a passenger to a temporary exemption for medical inability are (also found on the form): – Certified medical contraindications to full COVID-19 vaccination with an mRNA vaccine. – Medical reasons for delaying full COVID-19 vaccination. – A medical condition that precludes full COVID-19 vaccination described by the physician or nurse. Requirements: 1. The request must be made by the traveler 21 days in advance of the scheduled departure date. Otherwise, boarding will be denied. 2. Attach completed Temporary Medical Inability Exemption Form. With confirmation and signature of a Canadian physician/nurse on the form; or With a letter or medical certificate issued in a Canadian province/territory indicating the medical inability to be vaccinated. 3. The form must include: Contact details (address/phone number) of the physician or nurse, as well as their license number. Signature and date of the physician or nurse. Signature and date of the applicant. The temporary medical inability exemption form is valid for 1 year from the date of the physician’s or nurse’s signature. B. Temporary exemption for essential medical services or treatment (e.g., booked medical appointment). Physicians may indicate if an escort or companion is required to accompany a passenger traveling for an essential medical service or treatment. If yes, the name and contact information of this person is required and the reason the accompaniment is required. Requirements: 1. The request must be made by the traveler 14 days in advance of the scheduled departure date. Otherwise, boarding will be denied. 2. Attach Temporary Exemption Form due to essential medical services or treatment complete with: – Confirmation from a Canadian physician or nurse containing the date, name, and address of the facility where the appointment for essential medical services or treatment will be. – Brief description of the exception by the physician or nurse. – Supporting documentation along with the exception form. 3. The form must include: – Contact information (address/phone number) of the physician or nurse, as well as his or her license number. – Signature and date of the physician or nurse. – Signature and date of the applicant. The temporary exemption form for essential medical services or treatment is valid for travel only. Further travel will require the submission of a new form. C.Temporary exemption for sincerely held religious belief Requirements: 1. This request must be made by the traveler 21 days in advance of the scheduled departure date. Otherwise, boarding will be denied. 2. Attach a completed sincerely held religious belief temporary exemption form that includes an affidavit of conviction signed by a notary(Commissioner of Oaths). 3. Form must include: Signature and date of the notary, or may be certified by the notary by affixing a stamp and date. Signature and date of the applicant. The sincerely held religious belief temporary exemption form is valid for travel only. Further travel will require the submission of a new form. |
| PROCEDURE 1. The passenger must complete the application through the COVID-19 Vaccination Temporary Exemption for Vaccination Application Form to depart Canada. 2. The passenger must attach to the application, the required forms according to the type of exemption. 3. The application will be reviewed by the airline and may be rejected or approved within 7 days after the application is made. 4. Once the request has been processed, the passenger will be notified, via the e-mail address indicated on the form, whether the request was rejected or approved. 5. The reservation will be documented with the following OSIs in case of approval or rejection: EXCEPCION DE VACUNA PARA SALIR DE CANADA APROBADA EXCEPCION DE VACUNA PARA SALIR DE CANADA RECHAZADA |
Once the request is validated, passengers will receive an email informing them whether their exception was approved or rejected.
If the request is approved:
- Passengers must carry the exception form and acceptance/approval message from the airline with them during their trip.
- During check-in, passengers with temporary exemption must present proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test made no later than 72 hours prior to the flight departure.
Temporary exemptions are specific to each airline. In other words, a temporary exemption approved by Copa Airlines does not allow the passenger to connect with another airline. The passenger must process his/her exemption with each airline.
If the request is denied and the passenger presents himself/herself at the airport, boarding will be denied.
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