Sachin Walls
As of October 1, 2022, all Canadian COVID-19 border requirements have been lifted, meaning that a pre-departure COVID-19 test is no longer required to enter Canada. Previously, there were several instances where the Canadian government had enforced mandatory random COVID-19 testing for vaccinated travellers at airports, with the tests taking place off-site at pharmacies, select testing sites, or via self-swab tests. However, these measures have since been lifted, and there is currently no mandatory COVID-19 testing for travellers arriving at Canadian airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | June 2022 |
| COVID-19 tests at airports | Not required |
| Randomized COVID-19 testing at airports | Suspended |
| Vaccine certificate | Not required to board a plane |
| Masks | Not mandatory, but strongly recommended |
| Travel to Canada | Possible for foreign travelers |
| Quarantine upon arrival | Not required |
| ArriveCAN app | Optional |
| Documentation | Required |
| Testing and quarantine requirements | Lifted |
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What You'll Learn
- As of October 2022, COVID tests are no longer required to enter Canada
- Random COVID testing was paused in June 2022
- Previously, vaccinated travellers were subject to random testing
- Unvaccinated travellers had to test on arrival and on days 1 and 8 of quarantine
- Testing requirements were stricter in 2021, with all arrivals needing to test
As of October 2022, COVID tests are no longer required to enter Canada
Previously, travellers entering Canada were subject to random COVID-19 testing at airports. This was in place from July 19, 2022, and applied to all tourists and Canadian residents, regardless of vaccination status. The tests were performed off-site, at pharmacies, select testing sites, or via self-swab tests. Prior to this, from June 2022, proof of vaccination was no longer required to board a plane, train, or cruise ship when travelling within Canada.
In addition to the random testing, fully vaccinated travellers were required to submit their customs declaration in advance via the ArriveCAN app or website. This is now optional, although travellers can still use it if they wish. Travellers must still present any required documentation at the border.
It is important to note that individual provinces or territories in Canada have the authority to require proof of vaccination for entry into businesses or restaurants. For example, British Columbia requires a vaccine passport for entry into certain establishments. Therefore, it is advisable to check the specific requirements of your destination within Canada before travelling.
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Random COVID testing was paused in June 2022
Random COVID-19 testing for incoming travellers at Canadian airports was paused in June 2022. The Government of Canada announced on June 14, 2022, that it would temporarily suspend the randomized COVID-19 arrival testing, following a similar move by the US. The testing was paused on June 11, 2022, and this pause was part of a broader strategy to transition testing for air travellers outside of airport settings.
During this time, there were no COVID-19 pre-entry test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by air, land, or water. However, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and above were still required to take a pre-arrival molecular COVID test within 72 hours of reaching the border. Children under 12 were exempt from testing requirements.
The pause on random COVID testing at Canadian airports was brief, as it was reintroduced on July 19, 2022. From this date, all incoming visitors to Canada, regardless of vaccination status, were subject to random COVID-19 testing upon arrival. The testing was conducted at the four major Canadian airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto, and tests were performed off-site.
As of October 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including testing and quarantine requirements, have been lifted in Canada. Masks are also no longer mandatory at airports, although they are still strongly recommended.
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Previously, vaccinated travellers were subject to random testing
As of July 19, 2022, vaccinated travellers arriving at Canadian airports were subject to random COVID-19 testing. This was a change from previous testing requirements, as all tests were now performed offsite. For example, travellers arriving in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto were required to take a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy, select testing site, or via a self-swab test.
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced that the random testing would be reinstated for fully vaccinated travellers. The previous month, the agency had paused the testing as part of a strategy to transition testing outside of airports.
If vaccinated travellers tested positive for COVID-19, they were required by Canadian law to isolate for 10 days from the date of the test. It was strongly recommended that travellers purchase COVID-19 travel insurance with quarantine coverage to protect themselves financially from unexpected trip delays and quarantine costs.
From June 2022, proof of vaccination was no longer required to board a plane, train, or cruise ship when travelling within Canada. However, each province or territory had the authority to require proof of vaccination. As of October 1, 2022, all Canadian COVID-19 border requirements were lifted, meaning that travellers no longer needed to be vaccinated to enter the country.
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Unvaccinated travellers had to test on arrival and on days 1 and 8 of quarantine
As of June 2022, proof of vaccination is no longer required to board a plane, train, or cruise ship when travelling within Canada. However, each province or territory has the authority to require proof of vaccination. For example, British Columbia still requires a vaccine passport as of January 2022.
Previously, as of July 19, 2022, all incoming visitors to Canada were subject to random COVID-19 testing upon arrival at major airports, regardless of vaccination status. This was a change from previous testing requirements, as tests were now performed offsite. However, as of October 1, 2022, all Canadian COVID-19 border requirements have been lifted, including testing and quarantine requirements. Therefore, as of October 2022, unvaccinated travellers no longer need to test on arrival and on days 1 and 8 of quarantine.
Prior to these changes, unvaccinated travellers had to undergo routine testing on the first and eighth days of their 14-day quarantine period. Travellers who were unable to provide proof of vaccination had to follow a mandatory COVID-19 testing process at the airport upon arrival. Additionally, they were required to use the ArriveCAN app, which the Canadian government used to monitor contact tracing and quarantine requirements.
It is important to note that while testing and quarantine requirements have been lifted, masks are still strongly recommended in airports, and enhanced cleaning procedures have been implemented. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the terminals.
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Testing requirements were stricter in 2021, with all arrivals needing to test
In 2021, Canada had strict testing requirements for all arrivals. All travellers were required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada. These tests were often expensive and difficult to find, causing inconvenience for travellers.
Canada accepted only molecular tests, which usually took more than a day to process. This posed a challenge for Canadians planning day trips to the US, as they needed to obtain a valid test result before their return to Canada. To address this issue, travellers could obtain a test in Canada before their departure, which would be accepted upon their return. However, due to the cost and limited availability of testing, day trips may not have been feasible for some.
Fully vaccinated travellers were exempt from providing a pre-entry test result when entering Canada by air, land, or water. However, they could still be randomly selected for COVID-19 testing upon arrival. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers, on the other hand, faced stricter testing protocols. They were required to present a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their arrival, regardless of their age.
The testing requirements applied to all travellers, including international students, athletes, work permit holders, and essential service providers such as truck drivers. Travellers who failed to comply with the testing protocols could be subject to mandatory testing upon arrival and a mandatory 14-day quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status.
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Frequently asked questions
As of October 2022, all Canadian COVID-19 border requirements have been lifted. This means that you do not need to take a COVID test before travelling to Canada. However, if you have symptoms of COVID-19, you will be required to quarantine.
Yes. From January 2021, all travellers over the age of 5 were required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before boarding a flight to Canada.
Yes. From January 2021, all travellers were required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival in Canada before exiting the airport. Travellers also had to book a 3-night stay in a government-authorised hotel while awaiting their test results.
From July 2022, vaccinated travellers arriving in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto were subject to random COVID-19 testing. All tests were conducted off-site at a pharmacy, testing site or via a self-swab test. From October 2022, all persons arriving in Canada were no longer subject to random testing at airports.
As of October 2022, all Canadian COVID-19 border requirements have been lifted. This means that you do not need to be vaccinated to enter Canada. However, individual provinces or territories have the authority to require proof of vaccination. For example, British Columbia requires a vaccine passport.
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