Everything you need to know about travelling in Canada right now
For Canadians thinking of getting away in the coming months, the rules, regs and stipulations of each province and territory are not easy to sift through, but I'm going to try.
Disclosure: If you are an international traveller thinking of visiting Canada, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the Government of Canada, otherwise you'll have to quarantine for 14 days.
This is a long post, so save it, maybe print it out and put it on your fridge? Please share with others who are justifiably confused (eg everyone). And remember, check, double check and then check once more before you head out your door.
One other important thing: Many provinces have instituted proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces, like restaurants, bars, cinemas and theatres. Have that proof of full vaccination ready to show whenever necessary.
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
All travellers are permitted to enter the province and travel freely within it, but ... there are some stipulations. Fully vaccinated travellers are welcome with no restrictions. Those partially vaccinated must have a "negative pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test result" OR be tested when they arrive and self-isolate until a negative test is returned. Everyone needs to fill out this travel form, too, within 72 hours before arrival. If you are travelling with a kid under 12, they follow the same guidelines of the vax status of their guardian. If one parent is only partially vaxxed, the child is considered only partially vaxxed. This not terribly easy to follow flow chart breaks it all down.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Fully vaccinated Canadians from across the country can visit PEI without self-isolating. But, you need to apply for a PEI pass ahead of your arrival, and be tested upon arrival. A separate pass is needed for each traveller. Children under 12 do not need a pass, and if travelling with fully vaccinated guardians/families, do not need to self-isolate. If you're only partially vaxxed, or unvaccinated, you'll need to isolate for eight days and be tested on day 8.
NOVA SCOTIA
Fully vaccinated Canadians can visit without restrictions. Testing upon arrival is recommended, but not mandatory. If you've only had one shot – and it must be at least 14 days before arrival in the province – you have to self-isolate for at least seven days and have two COVID tests (on day one or two, and day five or six) returned with a negative result. Unvaccinated? You're self-isolating for 14 days. Kids under 12 follow the same guidelines as the least vaccinated person in their group. Before arriving you must fill in the Nova Scotia Safe Check-In Form, and upload proof of vaccination. Best to have that handy, too, as you could be asked to show it at the border.
NEW BRUNSWICK
As long as you have not been outside of Canada in the previous 14 days and have received at least one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (or a single-dose vaccine), you can enter the province without self-isolating. Kids under 12 follow the same rules and restrictions of the least vaccinated person in their group. And you've got to submit your info into the New Brunswick Travel Registration Program five days before arrival.
QUEBEC
There are no isolation measure for travellers arriving from elsewhere in Canada, but there also don't seem to be any vaccination requirements either. So I guess come one, come all, but also traveller beware. There are some restrictions within the province. Travel to Nunavik and the Cree territory of James Bay is not permitted.
ONTARIO
"You do not have to quarantine when you enter Ontario from another Canadian province, territory or region unless you have symptoms of COVID-19." There appear to be no vaccination requirements.
MANITOBA
Fully vaxxed Canadians can travel to the province without restrictions. One or no vaccines? You've still got to self-isolate for 14 days. While I can't find proof, I assume the rules for kids under 12 are the same as other provinces, and they follow protocol for the least vaxxed person in their group. Some regions in the province are more restricted than others in regards to what's open and allowed. You can see a breakdown here.
SASKATCHEWAN
The provincial government, from what I can tell, continues to advise against non-essential travel, but there appear to be no restrictions for entering from another province or territory. Visitors should self-monitor and self-isolate at the first sign of a possible COVID symptom.
ALBERTA
There are no travel restrictions for entering or holidaying in Alberta.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Recreational travel is allowed in BC, and if you're entering from elsewhere in Canada there is no need to self-quarantine. Some Indigenous communities are not open for tourism right now; you can find out which ones are here.
YUKON
Fully vaccinated Canadians can visit without self-isolating as long as the second shot was more than 14 days prior to arrival. A declaration form must be completed upon arrival, and visitors have to give consent to have their vaccine status verified. Kids under 12 don't need to self-isolate as long as the family they're travelling with is fully vaxxed.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Leisure travel is currently not permitted in NWT with the exemption of "remote tourism." These trips must be booked through an approved remote tourism operator, which has to submit its travel plans to the government, and travellers themselves need to submit a self-isolation plan as well as apply for an exemption through ProtectNWT.
NUNAVUT
Fully vaccinated Canadians can apply for an exemption from isolation. Applications should be submitted two weeks before you intend to travel to the territory, and you'll also need to complete a Vaccinated Traveller Declaration Form. Families travelling with unvaccinated children currently do not qualify for an exemption.
We made it! I hope this helps, and remember to check guidelines and restrictions right up until the day of departure as things can change daily.
Let me know what other (kind of, sort of) post-COVID travel info you're looking for and I'll deliver. :)
