The federal government is moving more slowly than the provinces to repeal COVID-19 public health restrictions, but it is nonetheless shifting its thinking from “requirements” to “recommendations,” notably with vaccine mandates under review, says Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. “As you’ve seen across the country right now, the public health strategy is moving away from mandates to recommendations, and to use all manner of other means to increase coverage for the boosters,” Tam said during a virtual COVID-19 update on March 18. The latest government relaxing of restrictions occurred on March 17 when it was announced that fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada will no longer be subjected to pre-entry COVID-19 testing beginning on April 1. No word was given on when the vaccine mandate for air, train, and ship travel would be lifted. Tam was asked what advice she is providing the government on vaccine mandates when it …