Travel Restrictions for Canadians UPDATE
The Federal Government has given us a heads up on what changes we can expect to happen to international travel as of August 9, 2021.
If you are planning to travel internationally soon, this post will help clarify what you can expect when you are arriving back in to Canada after your trip.
Since the beginning of 2021 - all travelers arriving by international flights (except the small number exempt from this requirement) to Canada have been required to pre-book, pay for and stay at an approved hotel quarantine facility for up to 3 nights while waiting for testing process to be completed.
As of August 9, 2021 at 12:01 am, the hotel quarantine program will end and no one will be required to go through this process.
Since March 2020 until July 5, 2021 - all international travelers arriving to Canada (except those small number with exemptions) were required to plan for and undertake an approved 14 day at home quarantine.
Since July 5, 2021, those travelers who presented full vaccination paperwork are no longer required to quarantine.
Starting August 9, 2021 all travelers must still present a quarantine plan, however only those who do not present full vaccination paperwork will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days. Also, children under the age of 12 who are traveling with fully vaccinated adults, do not have to fully quarantine at home. Instead children are told to avoid large group settings (like daycare and camps).
Since early 2021, all travelers have been required to pay for, take and present an approved, negative molecular (PCR) test in order to board their international flight back in to Canada. This hasn’t changed and remains for all travelers.
There are also requirements for testing upon arriving in Canada. Currently, everyone must take another test of Day 1 of their arrival in to Canada. This may occur at the airport, or you may be given a test to take at home (with lots of instructions). As of August 9, 2021, the Day 1 testing will be at random selection for those with vaccination paperwork. For those without that paperwork, Day 1 testing remains.
Currently, people who do not present vaccination paperwork must also take another test on Day 8 of their arrival in to Canada.
It seems like every time I turn around there is some change made to the requirements and restrictions so please check the Federal Government’s website for all the details.
There are some details I didn’t include here like pre-flight temperature taking, masking on flights, required use of the ArriveCan app. So please don’t take this update as complete information.