Guidelines For Non-Essential International Travelling

Canada has maintained border restrictions strictly since March 2020 in order to contain the spread of the virus. Now that the country has brought the coronavirus situation under control and initiated a huge vaccination drive, it is more important than ever to prevent the virus from spreading again.

To that end, Canada has decided to extend the travel restrictions on international travellers for another month, that is, until February 21, 2021. Bill Blair, the Public Safety Minister, announced the extension in a tweet. Blair said that the Canadian government is willing to take strong and firm action in order to protect citizens from the virus.

This extension is mainly applicable for non-US travellers. The restrictions for U.S. travellers were already extended until February 21 last week. The border between Canada and the United States has remained shut since March last year by mutual agreement. All forms of non-essential travel have to be put on hold until the restrictions are lifted.

New developments

Canada enforced a rule from January 7 asking international air travellers to take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) before their departure. Only the people who are able to furnish a negative report at the time of entry will be allowed to travel to Canada. All travellers should use the ArriveCAN app for learning about the coronavirus measures in Canada and sending the all necessary information to border services officers.

Canada began exempting some groups from the restrictions in the latter half of 2020 after the number of coronavirus infections dropped. Permanent residents and Canadian citizens are free to cross the border. Their immediate or extended family members are also welcome to enter Canada as long as they follow all the conditions.