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11 Aug 2021 | 10:31 PM UTC

Canada: Some provinces and territories continue to ease COVID-19 travel, gathering, and business restrictions as of Aug. 11 /update 12

Some Canadian provinces and territories ease COVID-19 travel, gathering, and business restrictions as of Aug. 11; rules subject to change.

Warning

Event

A number of provinces and territories across Canada are continuing to ease COVID-19-related restrictions within their jurisdictions as of Aug. 11. The following measures are in place:

Alberta
The province remains in Stage 3 (the final stage) of its reopening plan. Limits on gathering sizes have been lifted. Retail stores, places of worship, and indoor recreation centers, such as cinemas, theaters, and museums, can open at full capacity. Authorities continue to recommend that workers telecommute wherever possible; however, this is not mandatory. Facemasks are no longer mandatory in most public settings, except in healthcare facilities and on public transit. For more details, click here.

British Columbia
The province is in Step 3 of its reopening plan. The cap on the size of private gatherings has been lifted; however, restrictions are still in effect with regard to organized indoor and outdoor gatherings. Restaurants and bars may operate without capacity limits. The use of facemasks is no longer mandatory. Some additional restrictions are in place in Central Okagan. For more details on British Columbia's current restrictions, click here.

The province will enter Step 4 no earlier than Sept. 8. For further information, click here.

Manitoba
Authorities further eased restrictions Aug. 7 through at least Sept. 7. Fully vaccinated individuals may enter Manitoba without the need to self-quarantine; those who are not fully vaccinated must self-quarantine for 14 days and are encouraged to take COVID-19 tests both upon and 10 days after arrival. There are no longer limits on gatherings at private residences; however, size restrictions remain in place for gatherings in public places. Most businesses, including restaurants and gyms, may operate without capacity limits. For further details, click here.

New Brunswick
Authorities have lifted all travel and business restrictions and are only maintaining certain recommendations under its Living with COVID guidance. For more details, click here.

Newfoundland and Labrador
The province is on Step 2 of its reopening plan. Fully or partially vaccinated travelers may enter without testing for COVID-19 before travel or quarantining upon arrival. Unvaccinated travelers are subject to isolation and robust testing requirements upon arrival. Private gatherings can occur without limit as long as social distancing is enforced; indoor or outdoor organized gatherings can have up to 500 people. There are no limits on businesses such as restaurants or entertainment venues. Masks must be worn in indoor public settings. For more details, click here.

Northwest Territories
Only residents and those traveling for essential reasons can enter the province; some exceptions are made for those traveling from Nunavut or Yukon and for compassionate reasons. Residents of Northwest Territories, nonresident essential service workers, and domestic travelers who meet other exemptions and are fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate upon entry to Northwest Territories. Other arriving travelers who are partially vaccinated must self-isolate for at least eight days and may exit self-isolation upon receipt of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken on the eighth day. Those arriving in Northwest Territories who are unvaccinated are required to self-isolate for at least 10 days and may exit self-isolation upon receipt of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken on the 10th day. Indoor and outdoor events can generally allow up to 200 people. Most businesses can operate at near-full capacity. For more details, click here.

Nova Scotia
Travelers are required to complete a check-in form upon arrival. Travelers who are fully vaccinated, as well as those traveling from Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador) regardless of vaccination status, are not required to self-isolate. Partially vaccinated arrivals from outside of Atlantic Canada are required to self-isolate for seven days, with unvaccinated persons needing to self-isolate for 14 days. The province remains on Phase 4 of its reopening plan. Most businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms, and retail stores may operate without capacity limits, provided they enforce social distancing measures. Certain limitations on event and gathering sizes remain in force. For more details, click here.

Nunavut
Fully vaccinated travelers may now enter Nunavut without the need to self-quarantine, but they must obtain permission from authorities before traveling. Those traveling with unvaccinated children must still self-quarantine for 14 days. Nonresident unvaccinated individuals still require permission from regional authorities to enter and must self-quarantine for 14 days. People traveling within the Common Travel Area of Nunavut, Northwest Territories, or Churchill, Manitoba, are also exempt from quarantine. Most businesses can open without capacity limits, except restaurants remain restricted to 75 percent capacity. For more details, click here.

Ontario
The province remains on Step 3 of its reopening plan. Certain limitations on the sizes of social and organized gatherings remain in place. Restaurants and bars must enforce social distancing measures but no longer have a limit on the number of people allowed per table. Retail stores and religious services must comply with social distancing measures but do not have specific capacity limits. Personal care establishments may open for all services, and gyms and fitness centers may open at 50 percent capacity. For more details concerning the guidelines, click here.

Prince Edward Island
Certain caps remain in force with regard to gathering and event sizes. Restaurants no longer have capacity limits. All travelers must have a PEI Pass to enter. Partially vaccinated travelers from Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador) or Magdalen Islands are exempt from quarantine. Fully vaccinated travelers from other locations in Canada are not required to quarantine but must take a test upon arrival. Partially or unvaccinated travelers must self-quarantine for eight days and be tested both upon arrival and on day eight. For more details, click here.

Quebec
All regions remain at Level 1-Vigilance (green) of the province's alert map system, except Nunavik and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James, which are under special management. Under Level 1, private gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and 20 outdoors are allowed. Funerals and places of worship may have up to 250 people indoors, or 500 people outdoors. Bars can open at 50 percent capacity, and restaurants must only limit the number of people per table. For more details, click here.

Saskatchewan
The province has lifted all remaining restrictions. The use of facemasks is no longer mandatory; however, businesses and organizations may continue to require them at their discretion.

Yukon
Travelers from other parts of Canada are no longer required to self-quarantine upon arrival. Fully vaccinated individuals can have social gatherings of up to 20 people indoors and 100 outdoors, while unvaccinated individuals must limit gatherings to a maximum of six people. Most businesses may open without capacity limits. For more details, click here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Heed the directives of local authorities. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel. Confirm appointments in advance.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base

Alberta - Coronavirus Restrictions

British Columbia - Coronavirus Restrictions

Manitoba - Coronavirus Restrictions

New Brunswick - Coronavirus Restrictions

Newfoundland and Labrador - Coronavirus Restrictions

Nova Scotia - Coronavirus Restrictions

Northwest Territories - Restrictions

Nunavut - Coronavirus Restrictions

Ontario - Coronavirus Restrictions

Prince Edward Island - Coronavirus Restrictions

Quebec - Coronavirus Restrictions

Saskatchewan - Coronavirus Restrictions

Yukon - Coronavirus Restrictions