The country recently eased quarantine regulations for vaccinated travellers and is exempt from some restrictions. In addition, Canada announced to have a phased approach in easing border modulation. As a result, fully vaccinated individuals exempt from travel restrictions will not need to require a Covid-19 test nor quarantine. This will take effect on July 5, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Nevertheless, individuals travelling to Canada before this time are still required to quarantine.
Citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members with Covid-19 readiness arrangements are exempt from travel restrictions. The rule goes as well with some temporary foreign workers and international students who are currently enrolled. In addition, holders of valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) can now travel to Canada and be excluded from the restrictions.
Patty Hadju, Health Minister of Canada, said that the country is working on “proof of vaccination.” It is like vaccine certification or passport that the federal government will acknowledge. To be considered fully vaccinated in Canada, you should receive the approved vaccine brands from the government. These are AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines. In addition, you must have received two doses of the said shots at least 14 days before travelling to Canada. If you received two doses from two different locations, ensure that you have proper certificates or documentation to verify your vaccination.
If you are planning on travelling to Canada, here is more of what you need to know before you travel:
- Plan your quarantine in any case you do not meet the entry regulations for fully vaccinated travellers.
- Take a Covid-19 test within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada. Make sure to pre-register your test results upon arrival too.
- Download the ArriveCAN mobile application. Register your details such as contact information, travel and quarantine plan, travel history and proof of vaccination. In addition, you will be asked for a self-assessment of Covid-19 symptoms and a confirmed negative COvid-19 test result taken between 14 to 90 days before your travel.
- Ensure digital and printed copies of your documents, especially your proof of vaccination.
Should you not have a smartphone or mobile data while travelling to Canada, you can register the needed information on the ArriveCAN website. Print out or screenshot the registration instead.
In any case, you are showing symptoms or have seen symptoms of Covid-19, you should follow the instructions given to you by the government official. This goes as well if you are not found to be exempt from the travel restrictions.
After you arrive in Canada, if you are fully vaccinated and excluded from travel restrictions, you may not need to stay at a government-recognized hotel; neither would you need to quarantine nor take another Covid-19 test on the eighth arrival.
For children under 12 years old, Canada does not have approved vaccinations. Thus, children travelling to Canada may need to quarantine when they get home and not need to stay at a hotel. If you have certain medications or for health reasons you are unable to receive vaccination, you still need to quarantine and take a Covid-19 test. This requirement applies to everyone from five years old and above. If you got a home test kit instead of a Covid-19 test upon arrival, complete it and send it to the authorized laboratory of the Canadian government. If your test result is positive, you must quarantine and isolate yourself from others for a specific period.
