On November 19, 2021, the federal government announced significant updates to its travel rules and border measures regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for travellers. These changes will include an elimination of the pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test for fully vaccinated travellers who have taken short trips, an expanded list of eligible vaccines that travellers can receive to be fully vaccinated, and the requirement for certain groups of travellers – who are currently exempt from entry requirements – to be fully vaccinated for one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada.
For the purposes of these changes, a fully vaccinated traveller entering Canada is currently defined as an individual who:
- has received at least 2 doses of a Government of Canada-accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine;
- has received their second dose at least 14 full days prior to the day they enter Canada;
- has uploaded their proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN;
- has no signs or symptoms of COVID-19;
- meets pre-entry testing and all other requirements;
- meets all other entry requirements.
The changes to travel rules and border measures are summarized below:
Elimination of Pre-Entry COVID-19 Molecular Test for Short Trips
As of November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with a right of entry into Canada, who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada, will be exempt from providing a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result. This exemption will apply only for trips originating in Canada where the individual has departed and re-entered Canada by land or by air and can provide proof that they have been away for 72 hours or less. This exemption would apply for the following individuals:
- fully vaccinated Canadian citizens;
- permanent residents or individuals registered under the Indian Act;
- people with medical contraindications as defined in the Orders in Council (OIC); and
- unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who are accompanying their parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor (the accompany adult must be fully vaccinated or otherwise have a contraindication, and have right of entry into Canada).
Expanded List of Accepted Vaccines for the Purpose of Travel
Effective November 30, 2021, the Government of Canada will expand its list of accepted vaccines for the purposes of entry into Canada. This expanded list will match the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing, and will be updated to include the Sinopharm, Sinovac, and COVAXIN vaccines. These vaccines will join the current list of accepted vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, Astrazeneca, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.
A traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine, or combination of vaccines, accepted by the Government of Canada in order to be considered fully vaccinated. The traveller must have received the vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada, and must upload their proof of vaccination in English or French (or a certified English or French translation) into the ArriveCAN portal.
Canadian citizens are strongly encouraged to use the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination. This Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is a reliable way for Canadians across various provinces and territories to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccine when travelling internationally and within Canada.
Adjusted Entry Requirements for Certain Groups of Travellers Entering Canada
As of January 15, 2022, the following groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will be required to be fully vaccinated with one of the accepted vaccines to enter Canada:
- 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)
- professional athletes and their support staff, including amateur athletes;
- individuals with a valid work permit, including temporary foreign workers, outside of agricultural and food processing; and
- most essential service providers (including truck drivers, emergency service providers and marine researchers).
Although travellers will need to be fully vaccinated as of November 30, 2021 to enter Canada (with few exceptions), there will be a grace period until January 14, 2022 where individuals in the groups specified above may enter Canada if they are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
However as of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers will only be allowed to enter Canada if they fall under one of the following exceptions, and provide the necessary pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test:
- agricultural and food processing workers;
- foreign marine crew members;
- those entering on compassionate grounds;
- new permanent residents;
- newly resettled refugees;
- children under the age of 18 who are currently exempt from the travel restrictions, including international students who are studying at a designated learning institution that has a COVID-19 readiness plan; those travelling with a parent, step-parent, tutor or guardian who is either fully vaccinated, or a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or person registered under the Indian Act; and those travelling to reunite with immediate or extended Canadian family members in Canada; and
- national interest exemptions.
Vaccination Required for Travellers in the Federally Regulated Air and Rail Sectors
Effective November 30, 2021, proof of being full vaccinated will be required for travel within and out of Canada. A valid COVID-19 test will no longer be accepted as an alternative to vaccination for travel within Canada unless travellers are eligible for one of the very limited exemptions (i.e. a medical inability to be vaccinated).
We will continue to monitor for any updates related to COVID-19 that is relevant for employers, and will promptly provide updates on our Resource Centre so that you remain In the Know.
This blog is provided as an information service and summary of workplace legal issues.
This information is not intended as legal advice.