Nearly one year after Canada went into lockdown, border measures have become more strict though more people are exempt.
Canada has extended travel restrictions until March 21 for U.S. travellers, and until April 21 for travellers from other countries.
Since travel restrictions were last extended in January, Canada has tightened measures at the border. International flights are only being accepted at four Canadian airports. Canada’s four major airlines are suspending flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Also, incoming air travellers must now take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and wait for results in a government-approved hotel.
Travellers who are crossing the Canada-U.S. land border must also provide a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. This test must have been taken within the 72 hours before attempting to cross the border.
Quarantine requirements have also been extended until April 21. All travellers to Canada must quarantine for 14 days. Only essential travellers, such as truck drivers, emergency services providers, and those who cross the Canada-U.S. border regularly for work, do not have to provide a COVID-19 test or undergo the mandatory quarantine requirement.
Who is exempt from travel restrictions?
Some people are exempt from travel restrictions, such as:
- Canadian citizens (including dual citizens) or permanent residents;
- certain people who have been approved for Canadian permanent residence;
- certain temporary foreign workers;
- certain international students;
- protected persons;
- immediate family members of Canadians;
- extended family members of Canadians;
- people coming to Canada for compassionate reasons; or
- anyone else who falls under the exemptions listed on the government’s webpage.
The federal government is also allowing people to come to Canada for compassionate reasons, such as:
- to be present during the final moments of life for a loved one, or to provide support or care for someone who is critically ill;
- to provide medical support to a person who needs it; or
- to attend a funeral, or end of life ceremony.
Before coming to Canada, compassionate travellers can fill out a an application to get limited release from quarantine before the 14 days are up.
The only other exemptions to the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement are:
- crew members;
- people invited by the health minister to help with the COVID-19 response, and other healthcare workers;
- members of visiting forces who are coming to work;
- people coming to receive medical services within 36 hours of their arrival;
- crossing the border in a trans-border community;
- people crossing into Canada aboard a “vessel” for the purposes of research, as long as they stay on the vessel; and
- other circumstances listed in the new Order in Council.
In all cases, Canadian border services officers have the final say on who gets to enter the country.