TORONTO --
Eased COVID-19 restrictions on the border took impact on Monday, with absolutely vaccinated travellers now not needing an costly pre-arrival PCR check consequence to enter Canada.
Restrictions on the border have been tightened in December, because the Omicron variant led to an explosion of COVID-19 instances and hospitalizations. Nonetheless, with declining instances and hospitalizations, the federal authorities introduced on Feb. 15 that it might be lifting its journey advisory in opposition to all non-essential worldwide journey and loosening some restrictions on the border.
This is what that you must know in regards to the new guidelines for travellers:
ANTIGEN TESTS NOW ACCEPTED
Beforehand, all travellers, no matter vaccination standing, have needed to current a destructive PCR check consequence taken inside 72 hours of their scheduled flight or land entry into Canada.
Now, absolutely vaccinated travellers have the choice to as a substitute present proof of an antigen check taken a day earlier than the scheduled flight or arrival at a land border crossing.
In comparison with PCR checks, which might typically value upwards of $200, antigen checks are inexpensive and have a faster turnaround time.
Nonetheless, the antigen check have to be administered by a laboratory, well being care entity or telehealth service. At-home fast antigen checks can't be used to enter Canada.
These pre-arrival testing guidelines are much like the U.S. which additionally accepts antigen check outcomes for travellers flying into the nation. Nonetheless, in contrast to Canada, travellers coming into the U.S. via the land border aren't required to indicate any COVID-19 check consequence.
LOOSENED RULES FOR ON-ARRIVAL TESTING, CHILDREN UNDER 12
Previous to the brand new guidelines, travellers who had been outdoors of Canada or the U.S. have needed to full one other COVID-19 check upon entry into Canada. Travellers have been additionally required to quarantine till they acquired a destructive consequence.
As of Feb. 28, absolutely vaccinated travellers will solely be required to take an on-arrival check in the event that they develop into randomly chosen to take action. As well as, absolutely vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine whereas ready for his or her check outcomes.
The brand new guidelines additionally imply that unvaccinated kids beneath 12 travelling with absolutely vaccinated mother and father or guardians will now not be topic to restrictions.
Beforehand, unvaccinated kids have needed to full an on-arrival COVID-19 check and one other check on day 8. Unvaccinated kids have been additionally required to keep away from colleges, camps, daycares, massive gatherings and public transit for 14 days.
THINGS THAT AREN'T CHANGING
All travellers are nonetheless required to make use of the ArriveCAN app earlier than coming into Canada. ArriveCAN permits travellers to add their proof of vaccination and COVID-19 check consequence. Travellers who do not have a smartphone can use the internet browser model of ArriveCAN on any laptop.
Whereas the overall advisory in opposition to non-essential journey has been lifted, Canada continues to advise in opposition to all cruise ship journey outdoors of the nation.
Restrictions for unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and older should not altering both. Unvaccinated travellers will nonetheless be required to take a COVID-19 check on arrival, quarantine for 14 days, and take one other COVID-19 on day 8 of their quarantine. Unvaccinated international nationals will even proceed to be denied entry into Canada except they meet particular exemptions.
Travellers who've examined optimistic for COVID-19 however now not have signs can return to Canada if they supply proof of a optimistic molecular check taken at the very least 10 days and not more than 180 days earlier than their try and enter the nation.
"There may be nonetheless an actual threat of turning into sick or stranded whereas overseas and having to increase their journey or discover themselves in want of medical help ought to they check optimistic for COVID-19,” Well being Minister Jean-Yves Duclos mentioned on Feb. 15.