In a press conference on 26SEP 2022, federal ministers announced that the federal government is lifting all remaining travel restrictions for border entry, plane, train and cruise ship travel in Canada, including vaccine, quarantine, testing, masking and ArriveCAN use mandates.
The Order in Council that outlines most of the COVID regulations for entering Canada expires on 30SEP, and the conference confirms the federal government is letting the emergency order expire and also dropping all other remaining travel restrictions not covered by that Order.
As a result, all remaining travel restrictions for entry or travel in Canada will be dropped effective 01OCT.
All travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:
- submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website (although its use remains optional as the government says it saves travellers processing time);
- provide proof of vaccination;
- undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
- carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
- monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra also announced that Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:
- undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
- wear masks on planes and trains.
Although the masking requirement is being lifted, all travellers are "strongly recommended" by the federal government to wear "high quality and well-fitted" masks during their journeys. In addition, air carriers will no longer need to validate if travellers have entered information in ArriveCAN before boarding.
Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travellers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.
Individuals are reminded that they should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19. If travellers become sick while travelling, and are still sick when they arrive in Canada, they should inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival. They may then be referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment as COVID-19 remains one of many communicable diseases listed in the Quarantine Act.
ArriveCAN
While travellers will no longer have to submit their quarantine and vaccination information through ArriveCAN, they can continue to use the optional Advance Declaration feature in ArriveCAN (free as a mobile app or on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website) to save time at the airport by submitting their customs and immigration declaration in advance of arrival.
This feature is currently available to travellers arriving at YYZ, YVR, and YUL and will expand to the YYC, YEG, YWG, YTZ, YOW, YQB, and YHZ in the coming months.
Restrictions May be Reinstated in Future if Deemed Necessary
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos noted the Government of Canada will maintain the ability to reinstate some testing at the borders in the event it is needed in the future for a COVID-19 variant of concern, or other emerging public health threats.
