This Version Posted: February 12, 2021
Travelling Abroad
Enhanced Travel Restrictions
Due to COVID-19 and the risk of new variants, Canadians are strongly advised to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel plans outside of the country until further notice. They should also avoid all travel on cruise ships for the time-being.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: On Feb. 12, the Federal Government has updated its sweeping new restrictions on international travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including variants of it. It includes COVID-19 testing and a 14-day quarantine period. These measures will impact people arriving in Canada as follows:
- Arriving in Canada by Land: Starting Feb. 15, anyone crossing the land border for non-essential reasons will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last three days. Essential workers such as truckers and emergency service providers, as well as cross border communities, will be exempt from this requirement. There will also be 16 specific points of entry where testing will be run.
- Arriving in Canada by Air: Starting Feb. 22, all air travelers (with some exceptions) will have to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test at their expense at the airport, followed by quarantine in a government-approved hotel for up to three days while awaiting their test results. All international flights can now only arrive at one of four Canadian airports: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary or Vancouver.
Read this Federal Government Backgrounder for Full Details on these Restrictions
- Travelers will still be required to complete a mandatory 14-day isolation or quarantine which had previously been in effect. To ensure travelers’ awareness and compliance with quarantine requirements, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with security companies to help complete compliance checks for travelers arriving in Canada.
- As of Jan. 31, Canadian airlines will suspend all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30.
The federal mandatory isolation/quarantine measure was put in place by Canadian government through an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act. These measures apply to all travelers arriving in Canada and are aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. The only exceptions are essential workers, including those who ensure the continue flow of goods and essential services across the border. Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada could lead to up to 6 months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
Mandatory Quarantine
- If you have NO COVID-19 symptoms, you must quarantine for 14 days. Follow these quarantine instructions provided by the federal government.
If at any time over your 14-day quarantine, you develop COVID-19 symptoms, do the following:
- Isolate yourself from others
- Immediately call a health care professional or public health authority and:
- describe your symptoms and travel history
- follow their instructions carefully
You must begin isolating for an additional 14 days from the date of your positive test result or onset of symptoms.
Mandatory Isolation
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you must isolate for 14 days. Follow these isolation instructions from the federal government.
Follow any additional directions provided you by public health staff. After your mandatory quarantine/isolation period ends, continue following important public health measures like: staying home if sick, practising physical distancing, wearing masks or face coverings, and frequently washing hands with soap and water.
Additional Ontario Government Travel Measure
As of Feb. 1, 2021, the Ontario government is also making it mandatory that all international travelers arriving at Pearson Airport in Toronto get tested for COVID-19. Ontario is also exploring additional testing measures at Pearson International Airport and land border crossings in the coming weeks.
Travelling in Canada
Travelling Between Provinces
During the pandemic, some parts of Canada have placed limits on travel between provinces. This includes the requirement that some people arriving must self-isolate for 14 days. If you are planning an out-of-province trip, check first with the destination you are headed to see if any travel restrictions are in place that could affect your trip.