Canada: Authorities have slightly eased COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of May 11 /update 39

Event

As of May 11, authorities in Canada have made slight changes to the country's COVID-19-related international travel restrictions compared with those in place in mid-April. Under the current directives, fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada are no longer required to upload a 14-day quarantine plan before their travel. Additionally, unvaccinated children under the age of 12 do not have to show proof of a negative pre-travel test, as long as they travel to Canada with a fully vaccinated adult.

The following requirements remain in place for travelers entering Canada:

• Nonresident foreign nationals ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine (those manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD, or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) at least 14 days before entering Canada and have proof of their vaccination.

• Authorities may randomly select any fully vaccinated travelers entering from any country to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival; they do not need to quarantine while awaiting the result.

• Travelers must upload their proof of vaccination, and other travel information to the ArriveCan website within 72 hours before travel. For more details, click here.

• Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 can enter without undergoing quarantine and without a pre-travel test if accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent or guardian.

• Unvaccinated individuals aged 12 and older (or aged five and older if not accompanied by a vaccinated adult) allowed to enter Canada must show proof of a negative antigen test taken within one day before travel or a molecular test taken within 72 hours before travel.

Authorities have banned unvaccinated nonresident foreign nationals from entering Canada, except for those traveling for essential reasons, temporary workers, international students, and diplomats. Those allowed entry must self-quarantine for 14 days. Some workers, including those who cross the border regularly, may be exempt from the quarantine requirement, provided they do not display COVID-19 symptoms. Unvaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents can enter but must also quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. All unvaccinated individuals must take a test on day eight of their 14-day quarantine period.

All air passengers must wear a protective facemask. Persons exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are generally not allowed to board planes to Canada or take domestic flights or trains.

Foreign nationals traveling by land to Alaska from the US Lower 48 may only enter Canada through one of five border crossings: Abbotsford-Huntington, Kingsgate, or Osoyoos in British Columbia; North Portal, Saskatchewan; or Coutts, Alberta. Authorities will refuse travelers who attempt to enter Canada northbound through any other border crossing and reroute them to an approved crossing. Persons entering Canada from Alaska may use any border crossing.

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 all official directives. Reconfirm all health-related travel requirements before travel. Confirm appointments in advance.

Resources

WHO Coronavirus Knowledge Base
Canada - Coronavirus Updates
Canada - Travel Restrictions
Canada - ArriveCan website