Canada to officially drop all COVID travel restrictions

The Government of Canada has announced the removal of all COVID entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada from 1 October 2022.

From 1 October 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to:

• submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
• provide proof of vaccination;
• undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
• carry out COVID-related quarantine or isolation;
• monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID upon arriving to Canada.

The removal of border measures has been facilitated by a number of factors, including modelling that indicates that Canada has largely passed the peak of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 fuelled wave, Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, as well as the availability and use of vaccine boosters (including new bivalent formulation), rapid tests, and treatments for COVID.

Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travellers will no longer be required to:

• undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or
• wear masks on planes and trains.

Although the mask requirements have been lifted, travellers have still been advised by Canadian officials to continue wearing masks during journeys.

Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travellers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.

Canadian officials said that individuals are reminded that they should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID. If travellers become sick while travelling, and are still sick when they arrive in Canada, they have been advised to inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or a border services officer upon arrival.