Question Period Note: Current COVID-19 Border Measures for Travellers Entering Canada

Recent media coverage has focused on the Canadian public’s confusion around the mandatory use of ArriveCAN and changing border measures.

• Before arriving in Canada, all travellers must use ArriveCAN to submit their mandatory information, including proof of vaccination in English or French, and a quarantine plan.

• ArriveCAN remains mandatory for everyone, regardless of how travellers enter or how long they were away from Canada. This secure, free and easy-to-use application has helped to lower border wait times and has made available vital information to support the ongoing assessment of public health measures.

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act will not be denied entry if they do not submit their information in ArriveCAN, but:
o will not be eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption;
o may face additional delays at the border for public health questioning;
o may be subject to fines or enforcement action.

• A foreign national travelling for discretionary purposes may be denied entry into Canada if they do not submit their information in ArriveCAN.

• Since many Canadians are travelling for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Government is taking steps to increase communications to ensure that travellers understand their obligations.

• Border Services Officers may also allow travellers to return to the U.S. and re-enter Canada after submitting their information digitally, to avoid the requirement to quarantine if all other requirements are met.

The Government of Canada’s phased approach to easing border measures was developed to meet specific public health criteria and is based on scientific evidence and the public health situation in Canada and around the world.

ArriveCAN:
There has been some confusion around what travellers need to do before entering Canada, particularly with awareness of the ArriveCAN app.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) created and launched ArriveCAN in April 2020 to support the Government of Canada’s efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The app is available as a free mobile app (available through the App Store or the Google Play store) in English, French and Spanish, as well as through the Government of Canada website in English and French (canada.ca/ArriveCAN). The web version is accessible for individuals with disabilities.

All travellers entering Canada by air, land, rail or marine vessel, must use ArriveCAN to submit their mandatory information including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan, within 72 hours before their arrival to Canada.

The app provides a quick, easy, and secure way for all incoming travellers to Canada to submit their mandatory information before they enter the country.

Since ArriveCAN’s launch in April 2020, and up to December 1, 2021, nearly 7.9 million travellers have submitted their mandatory information using ArriveCAN. As of December 1, 2021, the ArriveCAN app has been downloaded nearly 4.5 million times.

Since its launch in April 2020, there have been 24 major releases of ArriveCAN, with an additional 25 iterations for issue fixes/updates.

Recent Guidance provided to BSOs if traveller hasn’t completed ArriveCAN requirement:
Non-compliance related to the electronic submission of information via ArriveCAN, in particular for travellers not familiar with the pandemic-related entry requirements, remains prevalent. CBSA has directed Border Services Officers to allow travellers who have not submitted information via ArriveCAN and who would otherwise be eligible to be exempt from quarantine (ie meet all other requirements) to return to the U.S. and to submit their information via ArriveCAN before returning. This allows them to be eligible for an exemption from quarantine.
Omicron measures:
On November 26, the Government of Canada announced additional measures in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant in southern Africa, including prohibition on travel from certain countries. On November 30, that list was expanded. Foreign nationals who have travelled to any of these countries in the previous 14 days will not be allowed entry to Canada. The full list of prohibited countries is:
• Botswana
• Egypt;
• Eswatini;
• Lesotho;
• Malawi;
• Mozambique;
• Namibia;
• Nigeria;
• South Africa; and
• Zimbabwe.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people with status under the Indian Act, regardless of their vaccination status or having had a previous history of testing positive for COVID-19, who have been in any of these 10 countries in the previous 14 days, will be subject to enhanced pre-entry and arrival testing, screening, and quarantine measures.
Unvaccinated travellers, with right of entry to Canada, will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. However, those arriving by air will now be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or other suitable location while they await the result of their on-arrival test.

Current requirements at the border:
Before arriving in Canada, travellers have to:
• electronically submit information related to COVID-19 into ArriveCAN,
• meet the pre- and on-arrival test requirements,
• be asymptomatic, and
• have a suitable quarantine plan.

Final determination regarding exemptions is always made by a government representative at the border based on the information presented at the time of entry into Canada, which is why a quarantine plan is still required. Acceptable supporting proof of vaccination, as outlined below, is also required.

“Fully vaccinated” definition:
• The traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or a combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days before entering Canada.
• Accepted vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). As of November 30th, Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN will also be accepted. This list may continue to expand as evidence becomes available.
• Proof of vaccination must be in English or French (or a certified translation).
• The traveller can receive their vaccine in any country.

Exemptions:
Exemptions are also in place until January 15, 2022, for certain individuals, including essential workers entering for non-discretionary purposes, as well as habitual residents of cross-border communities.

Quarantine and testing:
• Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from countries other than those 10 identified as a concern for Omicron will not have to undertake a full 14-day quarantine or complete a Day-8 test. However, travellers arriving by air from locations other than the U.S. will be required to take a test upon arrival. Those travellers from the U.S. may be subject to mandatory random testing in the 14-day period after arriving.
• Fully vaccinated travellers are still required to have a suitable quarantine plan (and be prepared carry it out) in case it is determined at the border that they don’t meet the requirements.
• At any time after entering Canada, if a fully vaccinated traveller tests positive or is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must follow all local public health requirements, including quarantine or isolation.

Declaring vaccination status:
• All travellers (not just fully vaccinated travellers) are required to electronically disclose their COVID-19 vaccination information, including:
o whether they received a COVID-19 vaccine,
o its brand name (or any other information that identifies the vaccine that was administered),
o the dates they received the vaccine, and
o the number of doses received.
• This information will help identify “vaccine-escape” variants — variants that make vaccines less effective — when on-arrival tests are analyzed. This information will help shape appropriate public health measures across the country.
• Fully vaccinated travellers who want to be considered for exemption from quarantine and reduced testing requirements will have to provide evidence of their vaccination status by uploading supporting English or French documentation (or a certified translation) into the ArriveCAN app or by signing in online at Canada.ca/ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada.
• Travellers must present a copy (paper or electronic) of their vaccination documentation and originals of any certified translation for verification at the border and retain it for 14 days following their entry to Canada.
• Only travellers whose vaccination status meets the criteria of “fully vaccinated” will be exempt from quarantine if certain conditions are met.
72-hour trip testing exemption:
Beginning November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada, who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada are exempt from taking a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test. This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada that are taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act, who depart and re-enter by land or by air.
The exemption will also apply to:
• people with medical contraindications as defined in the Orders in Council (OIC); and
• unvaccinated children under 12 who are accompanying their parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor. The accompanying adult must be fully vaccinated (or have a contraindication) and have the right of entry into Canada.
For fully vaccinated travellers with the right of entry into Canada who are travelling by air, the 72-hour period runs from the initially scheduled departure time for their flight leaving Canada to the scheduled departure time for their return flight to Canada. Travellers will be responsible for maintaining proof of the 72-hour period to show airline/rail companies and border officials as required (such as a boarding pass or travel itinerary).
Accepted vaccines:
Also on November 30, 2021, the Government of Canada will expand its list of accepted vaccines needed to enter Canada and exemption criteria from some testing and quarantine requirements. The list will include Sinopharm, Sinovac and COVAXIN, matching the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Use Listing.
Changes scheduled for January 15, 2022:
As of January 15, 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada. These groups include:
• Individuals travelling to reunite with family (unless they are under 18 years of age if travelling to reunite with an immediate or extended family member who is either fully vaccinated or a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act).
• International students (18 years of age and over)
o Fully vaccinated students will be allowed to attend any provincially or territorially designated learning institution in Canada.
o Unvaccinated students under the age of 18 must attend a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory where the school is located.
• Professional athletes and their support staff, and amateur athletes.
• Individuals with a valid work permit, including temporary foreign workers, outside of agricultural and food processing.
• Most essential service providers (including truck drivers, emergency service providers and marine researchers).

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