Flying to Canada in 2021 during Covid-19

During Pandemic, flying to Canada in 2021 becomes more complicated. Following the required steps is extremely important to avoid frustration and make your trip smooth.

1. Pre-entry test requirements before flying to Canada in 2021

There are no exceptions for vaccinated travellers, at this time.

You must:

• – take the test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada

• • if you have a connecting flight:
    • the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada
    • you may need to schedule the test in your transit city
• – provide one of the accepted types of tests, not an antigen test
• – keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada

These tests are considered acceptable molecular tests:

• PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
• RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
• Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
• Isothermal amplification
• Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
• RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
• Ct (cycle threshold) 
• CRISPR
• Sequencing
• Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
• Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
• Detection of the N gene
• Detection of Orf1a/b
• Detection of the S gene
• Detection of the E gene
• Detection of the RdRp gene

These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample. At this time, proof of having a vaccine will not replace a negative test result.

2. Arrival testing at the airport

You must take a test before leaving the airport. At that time, you will get a COVID-19 At Home Specimen Collection Kit to use for your test on Day-10 of your mandatory quarantine.

You will be required to get tested before exiting the airport. To speed you through testing at the airport, we encourage you to register in advance with the testing providers.

Take Ontario as example:

Toronto – Switch Health – This also registers you in advance for your Day-10 test.

3. Completing your 3-night hotel stopover

Following the arrival test, you will need to go directly to your reserved hotel to await test results.

Canada currently accepts 4 vaccines that eligible for the exemption of hotel stopover since July 5, 2021. Travellers must have received their last dose at least 14 days prior to the day they enter Canada and meet all conditions. The 4 vaccines are:

1. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
2. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
3. AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine
4. Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine – single dose

Take Ontario as example, the authorized hotels are:

• Alt Hotel Pearson Airport (online booking available)
• Best Western Premier Toronto Airport Carlingview Hotel (online booking available)
• Comfort Inn Toronto Airport (online booking available)
• Courtyard Mississauga-Airport Corporate Centre West (online booking available, use CGV corporate code)

For more eligible hotels, please check IRCC website.

4. Use ArriveCAN while flying to Canada in 2021 

The day after you arrive in Canada, all travellers, whether you travel by air, land or marine, must use ArriveCAN, a mobile App to:

• – confirm that you’ve arrived at a government-authorized hotel or the address you provided for your quarantine or isolation location 
• – complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments until the completion of your quarantine period or until you report symptoms

Government of Canada officials will call you to ensure that you’re complying with your mandatory quarantine or isolation. You may also receive a visit from a designated screening officer to confirm your compliance with the quarantine or isolation order.

– You also submit your quarantine plan with ArriveCAN if Canada is your final destination.You will be asked questions about your plans for quarantine upon arrival.

To sign up with the App, go to https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/privacy.

5. Complete a 14-day Quarantine

Your quarantine period begins on the day that you arrive in Canada and would end 14 full days later if you received your Day-10 negative test result.

Usually a traveller who is eligible for exemption of hotel stop-over mentioned above including fully vaccinated with one of the accepted vaccines, will be eligible for exemption of quarantine as well.

Avoid stops and contact with others while in transit to quarantine:

• – Use a private vehicle if possible
• – Remain in the vehicle as much as possible
• – Pay at the pump for gas and use drive through when you need food
• – Wear a suitable mask at all times unless you are alone in a private vehicle
• – Practice physical distancing 
• –  Sanitize your hands frequently and avoid touching surfaces

While in quarantine

• – Do notleave your place of quarantine unless it is for a medical emergency, an essential medical service or treatment, to obtain a COVID-19 molecular test, or it is pre-authorized by a QuarantineOfficer
• – Use only private outdoor spaces (i.e. balcony)
• – Do not have any visits from family or guests
• – Do not use shared spaces such as lobbies, courtyards, restaurants, gyms or pools

Travellers who are under quarantine must avoid contact with anyone they did not travel with:

• – stay in separate rooms
• – use sep
  arate bathrooms (if possible)
• – keep surfaces clean
• – avoid sharing personal items
• – limit interactions with others in the household

Co-habitants should also follow the guidance of their local public health authorities.

Reminders to international students who will attend 2021 September semester:

I. Documents with students travelling to Canada (from outside USA)

Border services officers may ask students to have these documents ready when arriving in Canada:

1. a study permit or a copy of their port of entry letter of introduction
2. a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from a DLI
3. proof that the student has enough money to support themselves during their stay in Canada
4. valid immigration medical examination results if the student comes from a designated country or territory (meaning a country of territory for which they are required), or if they are a medical student, a student in a health sciences field who will have placements in health-care or home-care settings, an education student who will have placements in primary or secondary schools, teaching small children
5. Before considering travelling, all travellers to Canada must plan for their mandatory 14-day quarantine period, which starts on the date they arrive. Government of Canada representatives will conduct health screenings at the time of entry to Canada and verify their quarantine arrangements.
6. Students will also be asked if they have a suitable place to quarantine, where they will
7. have access to basic necessities, including water, food, medication and heat during the winter months

• not have contact with people who are 65 years or older
• have underlying medical conditions have compromised immune systems
• not be in a group or community living arrangement

Students are strongly encouraged to make housing arrangements for quarantine before arriving in Canada. Students will also be given instructions about the actions they must take under the emergency order and the penalties for non-compliance.

Border services officers will make a final determination on the foreign national’s eligibility to enter Canada at the port of entry.

II. Non-discretionary purpose of travel

 Students who have been approved for or hold a valid study permit and who are destined to study at a DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their provincial or territorial government may be able to enter Canada if they are travelling for a non-discretionary purpose.

Travel will be deemed discretionary or non-discretionary depending on individual circumstances. Prior to boarding, air carriers are instructed to conduct an assessment of foreign nationals’ ability to travel to Canada based on the Canada Border Services Agency’s guidance for the travel restrictions. Border services officers will assess the circumstances surrounding the student and their accompanying family members’ travel and may consider, for example, whether any of the following apply:

• they are destined to a DLI that has a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their provincial or territorial government and
• is listed on the IRCC website

• they have a credible plan in place for quarantine in Canada upon arrival and expect to begin studying after completing their quarantine
• the semester has been cancelled or the person will begin studying later in the year

Under current travel restrictions, foreign nationals who are study permit exempt (those who are taking short-term courses) are not considered to be non-discretionary travellers and may not be permitted to enter Canada unless they apply for and obtain a study permit for a DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.

III. Accompanying family members of international students

Accompanying family members of international students who are exempt from travel restrictions must also be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose (that is, to establish themselves in Canada).

• Immediate family members may be eligible to travel to Canada if they will be establishing themselves with the student in Canada
• helping a minor child attending a school from kindergarten to grade 12 settle in Canada (1 parent)

Family members will need to show that their travel is non-discretionary. Parents or custodians requesting to travel with a student who is attending post-secondary studies (no longer a minor) would be considered discretionary unless they can provide proof that the student requires their care (for example, disability, doctor’s note).

All travellers must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Canada.

 

If you have questions about more details, please feel free to contact us. 

Stay safe and have a happy trip in Canada!