New Canadian border restrictions are now in force

Travellers having an antigen test may now enter Canada, and additional COVID-19 measures are in force as of February 28. In addition, as of February 28, at 12:01 a.m., passengers with a pre-arrival antigen test can enter Canada. Previously, travellers had to have a molecular test, such as a PCR test, performed within 72 hours before their scheduled flight or border crossing.

All visitors to Canada above the age of five still require a COVID-19 test before entering the border. The new regulations require incoming travellers to produce an antigen test result obtained within one day of their scheduled flight or arrival at the border. The test cannot be performed at home; it must be performed by a laboratory, healthcare organisation, or telemedicine service that is licenced in the nation where it was purchased. PCR tests are still used. There have been no changes to the guidelines governing pre-arrival PCR testing.

In addition to the PCR test requirement being eliminated, unvaccinated children would no longer be required to isolate for 14 days, and international flights would resume at all airports.

After recovering, travellers who continue to test positive for COVID-19 are permitted to board a flight, subject to certain circumstances. As part of the pre-arrival test requirements, you must give a positive COVID-19 molecular test on a specimen acquired at least 10 days but no more than 180 days before entering Canada.

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All travellers must still submit their necessary information through ArriveCAN. Coming visitors can utilise the website or mobile app to submit evidence of immunisation in English or French, as well as a quarantine plan, before arrival in Canada.

Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will be quarantined for 14 days and must perform an obligatory COVID-19 test on arrival and on day 8.

Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need to be quarantined when they arrive in Canada if they match the following criteria:

• fulfil the requirements for pre-entry testing;
• exhibit no signs of illness;
• Present all required COVID-19 information to ArriveCAN and submit all required COVID-19 information to ArriveCAN;
• Before they board their trip to Canada, they must have an ArriveCAN receipt, pre-departure test results, and physical or digital proof of vaccination documentation;
• they must also have an appropriate quarantine plan in case they do not qualify for the exemption

Border agents may choose you at random for an obligatory arrival exam. If you are completely vaccinated and are randomly selected for an obligatory arrival test, you must take it on the day you enter Canada. The test may be administered at the airport, or officials may provide you with a self-swab kit to complete within 24 hours after entering the country.

You do not have to wait for the results if you are chosen at random for the on-arrival exam. You are free to go to your ultimate destination and take connecting flights, and you are not required to quarantine while awaiting your findings.

According to the government of Canada, you can expedite the procedure by registering in advance with the testing provider for the airport where you will arrive using the same email address that you used for Arrive CAN.

Children under the age of 12 are subjected to a modified quarantine. Children under the age of 12 who are not completely vaccinated, are travelling with fully vaccinated or medically exempt adults, and are not fully vaccinated will be excused from quarantine. They are no longer required to wait for 14 days before returning to school, camp, or childcare.

These children may be subjected to obligatory random testing upon