Canada Updates Travel Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Tourists

Canada is planning to reopen its border for fully vaccinated travelers during the summer. Recently, Canada updated its border policies as follows:

Fully vaccinated travelers from the United States can enter without any restrictions starting Aug 9, 2021
Fully vaccinated children of Canadians and other exempt travelers to have amended quarantine rules starting Aug 9, 2021
Fully vaccinated travelers from all countries can travel to Canada starting Sep 7, 2021
Ban on international flights from India extended to Aug 7, 2021

Given the Covid-19 situation in both the US and Canada, the government has decided to allow US citizens and permanent residents to travel to Canada, starting Aug 9, 2021. On the same day, the requirement to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for all travelers will come to an end. Starting Sept 7, 2021 vaccinated travelers from all countries will be allowed to enter Canada.

Under the updated instructions for vaccinated travelers, it is also stated that while these travelers will be exempt from taking a Covid-19 test on arrival and after 8 days, they may be randomly tested at the border.

Who Are Considered Fully Vaccinated Travelers?

You will be considered fully vaccinated if you have the required dosage of a vaccine approved for use in Canada. Currently, Canada is accepting 4 vaccines including AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. Vaccination certificates must be submitted in French or English language, otherwise, you can submit certified translations of the document.

Currently, all travelers must submit their documents on the ArriveCan app or website before coming to Canada and have a 14-day mandatory quarantine plan. This requirement will come to an end on August 9, 2021.

What About Minor Children Who Can Not Be Vaccinated?

Currently, children under the age of 12 are not eligible to be vaccinated. For unvaccinated dependent children accompanying their parents, the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement will come to end on Aug 9, 2021. However, they will still be subjected to on-arrival and eight-day Covid-19 testing requirements. This will also apply to travelers from the US and the rest of the world when the border opens in September. While there is no designated list of activities that the minor children must avoid, they must avoid group settings such as school and daycare for at least the first 2 weeks.

What Will Be the Covid-19 Testing Requirements?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents planning to travel to the US for less than 72 hours after Aug 9, 2021, can get their pre-entry arrival test done in Canada. They will not be required to take a second test on arrival in the US.

Under the updated instructions, those who have recovered from the Covid-19 virus but continued to test positive can simply present their Covid-19 test result taken between 14 to 180 days before arrival. Earlier, this period was just 90 days.

Fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to get tested on arrival, however, they may get randomly tested at the border. There is no change in testing requirements for unvaccinated travelers. They will still be required to go through on arrival and eight-day testing.

What Will be Accepted As a Proof of Vaccination?

From August 9, 2021 international air carriers will be required to verify that all travelers coming to Canada have uploaded the required documents on the ArrivaCan app before boarding the flight. In addition to this, travelers will be required to carry their physical vaccine certificate to present to the border officials.

Only fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents coming from the States are eligible for exemption starting August 9. It does not apply to temporary residents in the US or US residents coming from a third country.

What Will Be the Quarantine Requirements for Travelers?

Individuals who can not vaccinate due to preexisting health conditions may be asked to follow modified quarantine requirements. Further details about this are yet to be available. Travelers coming by boat will also be eligible for eased quarantine requirements if they are fully vaccinated. They can also meet their pre-testing requirements in Canada.

However, it is to be noted that all travelers still need to have a 14-day quarantine plan in case the border officials determine that they do not qualify for an exemption.