Canada
Travel restrictions
Effective December 21st 2021, all Canadians returning from short trips must take a molecular pre-entry test. The test must be taken outside of Canada.
Starting in December 2021, all fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air from departure points other than the United States will be subject to arrival testing. Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to quarantine while they await the results of their arrival test.
Unvaccinated travellers, with right of entry to Canada, will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. However, those arriving by air will now be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or other suitable location while they await the result of their on arrival test.
The Government of Canada announced that as of January 15th 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.
You can find the list of concerned groups at the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/11/government-of-canada-announces-adjustments-to-canadas-border-measures.html
After January 15th 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals will only be allowed to enter Canada if they meet the criteria for limited exceptions, which apply to certain groups. Exempt unvaccinated travellers will continue to be subject to testing, quarantine, and other entry requirements. Non-exempt unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals will be prohibited entry into Canada.
Beginning on August 9th 2021, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents travelling for non-essential reasons will be able to enter Canada.
Effective September 7th 2021, foreign nationals who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption can enter Canada for discretionary travel.
Starting on November 8th 2021, fully vaccinated foreign travelers with appropriate vaccine-related documentation will be able to travel to the United States across the Northern and Southwest borders with Canada and Mexico.
International airline passengers must arrive in Canada at one of the four following airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Halifax.
A number of provinces and territories have put in place specific restrictions for travel across their borders, including for domestic travelers.
Effective January 7th, 2021, all airline passengers 5 years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 when traveling from another country to Canada. The new regulation requires passengers to provide their airline with negative laboratory COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results taken within 72 hours of their scheduled departure to Canada.
Beginning on August 9th 2021, Canada implemented randomized on-arrival COVID-19 molecular testing for fully vaccinated travelers; there will be no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travelers.
As of February 15th 2021, travelers seeking entry to Canada by land will be required to provide results of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of arrival at the land border port of entry.
Effective October 30th 2021, all travelers in Canada need to be fully vaccinated in order to travel by air, rail, or passenger vessel. For travelers who are in the process of being vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel.
By November 30th 2021, all travelers must be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions to address specific situations such as emergency travel, and those medically unable to be vaccinated.
Specifically, the vaccination requirement will apply to all travelers 12 years of age and older who are:
- Air passengers flying on domestic, transborder, or international flights departing from airports in Canada;
- Rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains;
- Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more.
Please consult https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid for updated information on travel restrictions, proof of vaccination, and related items.
Fully vaccinated travelers who are permitted to enter Canada are not subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test towards the end of quarantine.
All travelers must still provide a quarantine plan through the ArriveCAN system and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.
Travellers can consult the following website for up-to date information concerning travel requirements into Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
Canadians can take a look at travel recommendations by country at the following link: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Measures taken by the government
All passengers on flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports are now required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering that covers their mouth and nose.
Essential services in the country remain generally available, but some provinces continue to limit discretionary activities, such as visits to restaurants, bars, gyms, and retail shops, to individuals who can provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Testing
COVID-19 testing is available throughout Canada for medical purposes. Testing programs are administered by provincial and territorial health authorities. In some provinces and territories, you can also obtain testing for travel purposes directly from the health authorities, while in others you must pay a private facility.
Costs for private testing for travel purposes vary widely and can exceed $300.
This Government of Canada website contains information about COVID-19 testing in Canada and includes a link to the COVID-19 information websites of each province and territory: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms/testing.html#toc3
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
COVID-19 Information Service: 1-833-784-4397
Source:
US Embassy in Canada https://ca.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-canada/
Published on January 20th 2022 (checked on January 26th 2022)
Government of Canada - Coronavirus disease: visitors to Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors.html
Checked on January 26th 2022
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx