While US travelers have been able to cross Canada’s borders since August, the country has now opened up to vaccinated travelers from around the world. The move was taken on Tuesday this week after the successful acceleration of Canada’s vaccine rollout, backed by an excellent vaccine uptake among Canadians. However, there are still a number of things you need to know before planning your trip.
What you need to travel to Canada
The most important criteria for entering Canada is that travelers must be fully vaccinated. Currently, Canada approves the AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The traveler must have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to making the trip. Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 can enter Canada, as long as they are accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
Travelers are also required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, whatever their vaccination status, including any children under the age of 12. The results must be presented before boarding the flight.
Proof of vaccination, test results and contact information must be provided through the ArriveCAN mobile app, a web-based form or a paper form within three days of department. Travelers should note that they may be randomly selected for a health screening at the border, to assess any potential risk to public health.
While fully vaccinated travelers won’t need to quarantine on arrival, the Canadian government does recommend that they have a two-week quarantine plan in place. This is important, in case officials find they don’t meet all of Canada’s pandemic border requirements.
Current lockdown situation in Canada
While lockdowns started to lift in late spring, the Delta variant has been circulating widely. This means that some public health measures are in place and can vary between provinces and territories. It is always a good idea to check out the government’s resource page for destination-specific information.
For example, Newfoundland and Labrador requires visitors to complete an additional travel form before their visit, as does Nova Scotia. It is also important to note that some indigenous communities in Canada are not accepting visitors right now.
Hotels and restaurants
Meanwhile, hotels have reopened to visitors with enhanced cleaning protocols in place. In some regions of Canada, restaurants and bars are accepting patrons for both outdoor and indoor service, although some have strict entry rules in place. For instance, in Quebec and Manitoba, patrons must provide proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars, concerts, movie theaters, gyms and sporting events.
Museums, theaters and other cultural spaces
Cultural spaces in some provinces, including museums and theaters, are currently limiting the number of people allowed to enter at any time. Physical barriers have been installed and ventilation systems updated, among other health and safety protocols. Some cultural attractions require visitors to purchase tickets in advance, so always plan ahead.
Mask mandates
Some Canadian provinces have reinstated mask mandates, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Québec. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan has dropped its mask mandate. While masks are not required in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, visitors are still encouraged to wear face coverings.
You will need to wear a mask on your flight, regardless of where you are visiting and, as rules can quickly change during the pandemic, it is always a good idea to have a mask with you, especially on public transport and in some public spaces.
Outdoor activities
Those travelers interested in Canada’s many outdoor activities and extreme sports will be happy to know that most of the major parks are open. However, they should be aware that access to some visitor sites may be limited. Most hiking and cycling trails in Banff National Park are open for day use and a number of the campgrounds are accepting visitors.
According to Parks Canada, “only those places where measures can be implemented to minimize health and safety risks will be open to the public. Changes to services or even closures may happen quickly as the situation with COVID-19 changes.” For this reason, it is important to carefully plan your trip and always check the latest updates for your destination here.
Winter season activities
Those visitors interested in skiing and snowboarding should be aware that this is likely to be impacted by COVID-19 variants. Again, it is important to check the latest public health advice before traveling.
Bear in mind that, with careful planning, travelers from around the world can still thoroughly enjoy a vacation in Canada.
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