Travellers’ Testing, Isolation and Quarantine Obligations

Date: April 21, 2021

Classification: Unclassified

Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes

Branch/Agency: CBSA

Proposed Response:

If pressed on testing and quarantine exemptions:

If pressed on more stringent suitable quarantine plan:

If pressed on other measures to mitigate spread of virus at border:

If pressed on BSO authorities:

If pressed on enhanced measures suspending incoming passenger flights from India or Pakistan:

Background:

The Government of Canada’s (GOC) top priority is the health and safety of Canadians. Failing to contain the outbreak may lead to widespread disease in Canada, increase negative health impacts and potentially overwhelm the health system. Canada has implemented measures, aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, including restrictions on non-essential travel across Canada’s international borders and mandatory quarantine and isolation measures to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. With new COVID-19 variants of concern being increasingly detected  in Canada, the GOC has announced further testing and quarantine requirements for international travellers arriving at air and land ports of entry. These new measures are intended to help prevent variants of concern from reaccelerating the pandemic. Exemptions continue to be in place to ensure that economic supply chains continue between Canada and the United States.           

The recent reduction in the number of international travellers is related to new border restrictions and quarantine measures in place. The GOC is continuously monitoring and evaluating the situation and will ensure protective measures remain in place until they can be lifted safely.

Order in Council

New OIC 50: 2021-0313 entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine,  Isolation and Other Obligations), has effect from the period beginning on April 21, 2021 (11:59:59 PM) and ending on May 21, 2021 (11:59:59 PM). This order repeals and replaces OIC 47: 2021-0174. This Order is to be read in conjunction with the Transport Canada Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirement of Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19 under the Aeronautics Act. The Interim Order was updated on April 22, 2021 to require that passengers departing India or Pakistan to Canada via an indirect route, obtain a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.

REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS - ArriveCAN

As of February 22, 2021, whether arriving by land or air, all travellers are required to electronically submit their travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, via the ArriveCAN application before crossing the border or boarding a flight. (Digital submission pre-boarding has been mandatory in the air mode since November 21, 2020).

More stringent quarantine plan: For a quarantine location to be deemed suitable, travellers cannot stay with at-risk subpopulations including people who work in hospitals or long-term care facilities, adults over the age of 65, or those who are immunocompromised or at risk for more severe disease outcomes. In addition, travellers must avoid all contact with others in their household with whom they did not travel. 

Quarantine plan and contact information must be submitted for the 14-day quarantine period by electronic means to PHAC, unless travellers cannot do so because of a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case this information can be provided in an alternate manner as specified by PHAC. This obligation does not apply to persons in transit who remain in sterile transit areas.

Asymptomatic travellers can submit their contact information through:

PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING REQUIREMENT

AIR MODE: As of January 6 at 11:59 PM EST, all travellers aged five (5) years or older, regardless of immigration status, who board an aircraft destined to Canada must present proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test. The test must be taken within 72 hours before the traveller’s scheduled departure and performed using one of two methods: either Molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Reverse Transmission Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP). As of January 21, instead of providing a negative test, travellers can provide a positive result of the test that was performed on a specimen that was collected at least 14 days and no more than 90 days before the aircraft’s initial scheduled departure time.

Unless otherwise exempt, before boarding, travellers must provide to the aircraft operator, documentation demonstrating the negative or positive test result including the following elements:

  1. the person’s name and date of birth;
  2. the name and civic address of the laboratory that administered the test;
  3. the date the test was conducted and the test method used; and
  4. the test results.

LAND MODE: As of February 15, 2021, all travellers, with some exceptions, are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the United States within 72 hours of pre-arrival, or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival. Exemptions include essential workers such as truckers and emergency service providers, as well as cross border communities.

Note: See below for a complete list of exempted persons from Pre-Arrival Testing Requirements

POST-ARRIVAL TESTING REQUIREMENT

All travellers, with limited exceptions, are required to undergo COVID-19 molecular testing at time of entry and once again later in the 14-day post-entry period while they are in quarantine. These test results will be analysed to track and limit spread of COVID-19 variants.

AIR MODE: As of February 22, 2021, all travellers, with some exceptions, are required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the first airport of entry, and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period. With limited exceptions, air travellers are required to reserve prior to departure to Canada, a 3-day stay in a government-authorized accommodation (hotel). Travellers are required to stay at their reserved hotel for up to 3 days, at their own cost, while they await the results of their arrival test. If they receive a negative result, they will be able to continue travelling to their final destination to complete the 14-day quarantine. Travellers who test positive, develop symptoms or do not have a suitable quarantine plan will be directed to complete their isolation at a Designated Quarantine Facility (DQF).

Travellers need to book a hotel in the city in which they first arrive in Canada. If they receive a negative result on their arrival test, they will be able to take a connecting flight to their final destination. There are a number of hotels to choose from near each of the four international airports accepting international flights, in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Costs of these hotel stays vary slightly at each location. It is up to the traveller to choose where they wish to stay and book in advance of departure. The price will include costs associated with the room, food, cleaning, infection prevention and control measures, and security as well as transportation.

LAND MODE: As of February 22, 2021, travellers entering Canada at the land border are required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as towards the end of their 14-day quarantine. Since March 4, 2021, the GOC has operated 16 testing sites at points of entry across Canada. The GOC is also working to supply all other ports of entry with test kits for travellers to take home and self-administer testing on day 1 and towards the end of the quarantine period to meet requirements.

Ports of Entry with onsite testing

Exemptions

The Order allow for limited exemptions to the requirements for post-entry testing and government-authorized accommodations. This includes new provisions for persons providing essential services, persons seeking essential medical treatment outside of Canada, persons entering Canada to assist in a major disaster, and unaccompanied dependent children.

As of March 21, 2021, the following persons are now exempt from the requirement to quarantine in a government-authorized accommodation: unaccompanied persons under the age of 18; unaccompanied persons 18 and older who are dependent on others for care or support; persons or a class of persons whose presence in Canada is deemed in the national interest by the Minister of Health; and certain temporary foreign workers, who will proceed directly to their suitable place of quarantine by private conveyance.

Note: See below for a complete list of exempted persons from Post-Arrival Testing Requirements as well as those exempt from the requirement to do to a government-approved accommodation in the air mode.

Testing exemption authorities in specific circumstances

To manage unforeseen emergency and exigent circumstances when pre and post arrival testing may not be feasible, the following exemption authorities have been added as of February 14, 2021:

Alternative Testing Protocol

In some cases where pre or post arrival testing or quarantine would not be appropriate due to the urgency or critical nature of the work being performed by the incoming traveller, the ability to leverage new testing technologies will continue to be useful through the potential future introduction of alternative testing protocols that could be considered for collection of samples within a different timeframe in limited circumstances.

COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

Failure to provide documentary evidence of a COVID-19 test will not result in a prohibition on entry to Canada for those with a right of entry (Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, Registered Indians). Foreign nationals who are symptomatic or who fail to provide evidence of a valid pre-arrival test will be prohibited entry into Canada. Travellers who do not comply with quarantine or testing requirements pre and post arrival will be referred to PHAC and may be subject to a fine of up to $3,000 or face criminal prosecution. Additionally, travellers in quarantine or isolation are required to answer questions and provide information to peace officers on request. Failure to provide accurate information or violating any instructions provided when entering Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.

QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS

All travellers entering Canada who are subject to mandatory quarantine or isolation, as well as quarantine exempt persons, are required to provide mandatory health information to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) under the Quarantine Act:

Quarantine Exempt Classes of Persons

As of February 14, 2021, quarantine-exempt travellers must meet more stringent obligations with respect to mask wearing and must maintain a list of contacts during their initial 14-day period in Canada. Non-medical mask requirements have been amended to align with the Transport Canada Interim Order and exempts those younger than two years of age and those with physical restrictions that prevent mask wearing.

Exemptions

The Order continues to allow for some limited exemptions to quarantine requirements, including cross-border students, cross-border communities, and land border crossings were the person was directed back from the United States or entered US territory without seeking formal entry (“flagpolers”).

Note: See below for a complete list of exempted persons.

EXEMPTIONS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

As of March 21, 2021, the Order has been restructured to include the complete listing of persons and classes of persons exempt from the various public health requirements within schedules 1 to 3.

In addition to the exemptions detailed in the above schedules, the following persons and classes of persons are exempt from select public health requirements provided that they meet established conditions:

High performance amateur athletes and essential personnel

Foreign nationals who are high performance amateur athletes participating in an International Single Sport Event (ISSE) or persons deemed to perform an essential role in relation to an ISSE, may seek entry into Canada as long as they have an authorization letter issued by Heritage Canada (PCH).

The PCH authorization letter issued pursuant to subsection 4.6(2) of the order may include a risk mitigation plan with specific conditions (quarantine exemption) developed in consultation with PHAC and supported by applicable provincial government and local health authority.

Note: Not all high performance amateur athletes and essential personnel are exempt from the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement.

Compassionate Entry

Pursuant to subsection 4.5(1), the requirements to remain in quarantine are different for a person who has written authorization from the Minister of Health for entry and a limited release from quarantine for one of the following purposes:

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