Question Period Note: Current COVID-19 Border Measures for Travellers Entering Canada (Trucking Sector)

Effective January 15, 2022, a number of exemptions for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers to Canada were removed, including exemptions for truck drivers.

• Effective January 15, 2022, all truck drivers are required to be fully vaccinated and upload their proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN to be exempt from quarantine.

• Since November 30, 2021, truck drivers have been required to identify their vaccination status in ArriveCAN and, if fully vaccinated, upload their proof of vaccination.

• Fully vaccinated truck drivers will continue to be exempt from pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing, as well as the requirement to quarantine when entering Canada.

• Truck drivers with a right of entry (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act) who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon their return and undergo a day 1 and day 8 COVID-19 test.

• Foreign national truck drivers coming to Canada from the US by land who are not fully vaccinated will be directed back to the United States.

• The CBSA monitors volumes and wait times and is prepared to allocate resources to minimize processing times and potential delays at our ports of entry.

• The Government of Canada will continue to prioritize the health and safety of Canadians as we adjust and adapt our border measures.

Current COVID-19 Border Measures for Travellers Entering Canada

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.

Changes on January 15, 2022:
As of January 15, 2022, certain groups of travelers who were previously exempt from entry requirements are allowed to enter the country only 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).

Limited exceptions:
As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign nationals are only allowed to enter Canada if they meet the criteria for limited exceptions. These include but are not limited to:
• new permanent residents and resettling refugees;
• those entering on compassionate grounds;
• some children under the age of 18;
• agricultural and food processing workers;
• marine crew members;
Some cohorts of travelers in these groups are also exempt from testing or quarantine requirements if they meet the criteria for limited exceptions.
The final decision regarding entry and quarantine is made by a government representative at the port of entry, based on the information presented to them at the time.

National Interest Exemptions:
The Minister of Public Safety has signed National Interest Exemptions from the prohibition on entry for the following cohorts of travelers who would otherwise fall under the new measures:
• Fully-vaccinated foreign national crew members (including truck drivers) who failed to provide mandatory information through ArriveCAN;
• Unvaccinated crew members who reside in Canada and are Foreign Nationals other than United States citizens and permanents residents, who are not left unable to enter both Canada and the United States (US) once both vaccine mandates are in effect;
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers who are unvaccinated or failed to submit mandatory information through ArriveCAN and are transiting through Canada to their place of work or a work location (this cohort will also require an NIE quarantine and on arrival testing);
• Unvaccinated persons who enter Canada, for the purpose of transiting to and from Alaska for non-discretionary purposes.

Truck Drivers:
As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated truck drivers with a right of entry (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act) must meet the pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 testing, as well as the quarantine requirements. They must also continue to submit their mandatory submission of travel, contact and quarantine information in ArriveCAN, before arriving at the border.
Unvaccinated truck drivers with right of entry will be able to deliver their loads before quarantining. Upon entering Canada, the driver is required to proceed directly to destination to unload, while following the public health guidance that will be issued at the border. Once unloaded, the truck driver must go directly to their suitable place of quarantine.

If the driver crosses with a load that has multiple stops, they will be able to complete all stops in the commercial transaction, while following public health guidance. Once unloaded, the truck driver must go directly to their suitable place of quarantine. Their compliance with quarantine will be verified.
Foreign national truck drivers and truck drivers with right of entry to Canada who qualify as fully vaccinated will continue to be exempt from pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 testing, as well as the requirement to quarantine when entering Canada.
As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truck drivers, coming to Canada from the U.S. by land, will be directed back to the United States.
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveler and to enter Canada, foreign national truck drivers must have:
• received the full series of a vaccine—or a combination of vaccines—accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel to and within Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada; and
• submitted all required COVID-19 information including proof of vaccination into ArriveCAN.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated drivers with a right of entry who enter Canada without a valid pre-arrival test will be considered non-compliant and may be subject to enforcement action.
The CBSA does not issue fines in the enforcement of the Quarantine Act requirements; the decision on whether to pursue any enforcement action related to the public health orders rests with PHAC and/or the police of jurisdiction.

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