On July 19, 2021, the Government of Canada announced the details of the next phase of its approach to easing border measures for travellers entering Canada. As a result of increased vaccination rates, declining COVID-19 cases and reduced pressure on health care capacity in Canada, the government intends to bring a number of changes into effect.
Beginning August 9, 2021 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the US, who are currently residing in the US, will be permitted to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel. On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favourable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to all fully vaccinated travellers.
Please see below for a summary of these developments:
1. What will change on August 9, 2021?
Entry to Canada:
Fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents, currently residing in the US, will be allowed to travel to Canada for discretionary (non-essential) purposes. Additionally, unvaccinated children under 12 years of age, or unvaccinated dependent children (due to a mental or physical condition), who are US citizens or permanent residents currently residing in the US may also be allowed entry into Canada. In order to be allowed entry, such children must be accompanying a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor who is permitted to enter Canada.
As discussed in our previous bulletin, in order to be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have received two doses or a combination of the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines or a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, at least 14 days prior to their entry to Canada.
It was also announced that Transport Canada would be expanding the scope of the existing Notice to Airmen that currently directs scheduled international commercial passenger flights into the four major Canadian airports. Effective August 9, 2021, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at the following five additional Canadian airports: Halifax Stanfield International Airport; Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport; Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport; Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson Internal Airport; and Edmonton International Airport.
Testing and Temperature Screening Requirements:
The Government of Canada will begin a new border testing surveillance program at airports and land border crossings. Beginning August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. Transport Canada will also remove the requirement for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to perform pre-board temperature screening of passengers and airport workers on all domestic flights and international departures.
In a positive development for Canadians, Canadian citizens and permanent residents travelling to the US for less than 72 hours will now be permitted to do their pre-entry test in Canada. Therefore, such individuals will no longer be required to receive a second COVID-19 molecular test result in the United States prior to returning to Canada.
Quarantine Requirements:
As of August 9, 2021, the three-night government-authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers arriving by air will be eliminated. Additionally, unvaccinated children under 12 years of age and dependent children (due to a mental or physical condition) of fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to complete a 14-day quarantine, but must follow strict public health measures. This means they can move around with their parents, but must avoid group settings – such as camps, daycares or schools – during the first 14 days after their arrival. Unvaccinated children will remain subject to the Day 1 and Day 8 testing requirements.
Please note that provinces and territories may have more stringent rules regarding people who have recently returned from travel.
2. What will change on September 7, 2021?
At this moment, the Government of Canada intends to open Canada’s borders to all fully vaccinated travellers as of September 7, 2021. This plan is contingent on the domestic epidemiologic situation remaining favourable in Canada. The preliminary step of permitting US travellers’ entry to Canada for discretionary (non-essential) purposes will allow the Government to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7, 2021. We will continue to keep you updated as this situation evolves.
3. What requirements are still in place?
For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current mandatory testing requirements and such travellers will still be required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement, subject to limited exceptions. However, as mentioned above, the three-night government-authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers arriving by air will be eliminated.
While fully vaccinated travellers will benefit from the new quarantine and testing measures, they must continue to abide by the mandatory requirements set out by the Government of Canada.
Fully vaccinated travellers must also be asymptomatic, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation in English or French (or certified translation, along with the original), and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through the ArriveCAN app prior to arrival in Canada. They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine. As with all other exempt travellers, they will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada.
4. Closing Remarks
This announcement represents another important step in the implementation of Canada’s border re-opening plan. As stated by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness: “The Government of Canada recognizes that people have been anxiously awaiting a re-opening of the border to the world. We have been fully engaged with our American counterparts given the deep economic and family ties between our two countries. Today’s announcement is another big step in our approach to easing border measures which is guided by facts, scientific evidence and the advice of our public health experts.” As we have throughout the pandemic, the Gomberg Dalfen team will continue to keep you updated as this situation evolves and as the next phases of the border reopening are announced.
Message from the team:
We are humbled to have been elected by our peers to the Top 10 Canadian boutique immigration law firms – and as the only firm in Quebec! Read the interview with our founding partner Seth Dalfen in Canadian Lawyer Magazine here.
Everyone at Gomberg Dalfen remains available to address any question, concern or mandate you may have. You will be able to reach us at our usual email addresses and telephone numbers. Gomberg Dalfen encourages all temporary workers and students whose status expires in the next 6 months to submit an application for renewal online, and to remain in Canada for the foreseeable future and to avoid all travel abroad, as they may face complications to re-enter Canada. Contact one of our lawyers if you require assistance or have questions. Temporary workers and students who are interested in their eligibility for Canadian permanent residence are invited to contact us.
Please note: Information contained in this bulletin should not be taken as legal advice. The content of this bulletin is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any individual case or situation.