Canada’s Travel Rules Are Changing In February & Here’s Everything You Might’ve Missed

Canada’s Travel Rules Are Changing In February & Here’s Everything You Might’ve Missed

As of February 28 at 12:01 a.m. EST, the federal government will ease on-arrival testing measures for fully vaccinated travellers.

Fully vaxxed individuals arriving in Canada (from any country) will be randomly selected for arrival testing — just like before the discovery of the Omicron variant.

Those who are chosen for testing will no longer be required to quarantine, either.

At the moment, everybody who arrives in the country is subject to on-arrival testing and must quarantine while awaiting their test result.

From the same date, travellers will also have the option to use a rapid antigen test or a molecular test to meet pre-entry requirements.

It means people will be able to choose a cheaper rapid antigen test to enter Canada if they want, although it must be authorized by the country in which it was purchased and be administered by a laboratory, health care entity or telehealth service.

A rapid antigen test must be taken the day before an individual’s arrival in Canada, while a molecular test result must be taken within 72 hours prior to entry.

Global travel advisory

On Tuesday, the feds also confirmed their plans to adjust Canada’s Travel Health Notice from a level 3 to a level 2.

It means that the government will no longer urge Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel, like vacations, abroad.

Travel rules for kids

Restrictions on unvaccinated children under 12 will be lifted as of February 28, meaning they will no longer need to wait before going to school or daycare.

At the moment, children must wait two weeks before attending school, camp or daycare after going abroad.

Airports reopening

Right now, only 18 Canadian airports are currently able to receive international flights. However, this will soon be expanded to include all international airports in the country.