OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has announced further testing and quarantine requirements for international travellers arriving to Canada’s air and land ports of entry. The new measures aim to prevent COVID-19 variants of concern from re-accelerating the pandemic and making it more difficult to contain.
“We’re moving forward with these critical measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the introduction of new variants of the virus into Canada,” says Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport. “At the same time, we recognize the importance of the continued movement of goods and the ongoing delivery of essential services in Canada. Our government’s response to this pandemic includes necessary measures to protect the health and safety of Canadians while keeping our economy going.”
As of February 15, all travellers arriving to Canada by land (with some exceptions) will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the U.S. within 72 hours of pre-arrival or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival. Additionally, as of February 22, travellers entering Canada at the land border will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival, as well as toward the end of their 14-day quarantine.
As of February 22, all travellers arriving to Canada by air (with some exceptions) will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period. With limited exceptions, air travellers, will also be required to reserve a three-night stay in a government-authorized hotel, prior to departure to Canada. These new measures are in addition to existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for air travellers.
Travellers will be able to book their government-authorized stay starting February 18. The government approved hotels will be located near the four international airports currently accepting international flights (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal).
The cost of the hotel stay, which will be determined by the hotel, will be inclusive of costs associated with the room, food, cleaning, infection-prevention and control measures, security and transportation.
Beginning February 22, all travellers — whether arriving by land or air — will also be required to submit their travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN, before crossing the border or boarding a flight.
During a daily briefing where he discussed the new measures, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated: “To Canadian airlines and border agents — thank you. To public-health employees, to hotel workers and owners — thank you for all the work you’re doing and for doing your part. The purpose of these measures is to ensure that people are safe. Obviously, there are going to be exceptions for essential travel, such as for truck drivers and health-care workers. Otherwise, people should simply not travel.”
