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February 1, 2021

Canada Implements Additional Travel Restrictions

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced a new requirement that travelers where masks on all modes of transit – from trains and planes to ride-sharing cars and public buses – Canada announced new travel restrictions.

The orders, which already have taken effect or will take effect at 11:59 p.m. on February 3, 2021, require:

  • The suspension of all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30, 2021.
  • Expanding the number of international flights that are funneled into four Canadian airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. These new restrictions include scheduled commercial passenger flights arriving from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Private/Business and charter flights from all countries will also be required to land at the four airports. Flights from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and cargo-only flights will remain exempt.
  • All air travelers arriving in Canada, with very limited exceptions, to reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights at their own cost, and take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost.
  • Introduction of a 72-hour pre-arrival testing requirement (molecular test) for travelers seeking entry in land mode, with limited exceptions such as commercial truckers.
  • Additional collaboration with partners in the United States to strengthen our border measures.

To ensure travelers’ awareness and compliance with quarantine requirements, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with security companies to help complete compliance checks for travelers arriving in Canada. Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has warned Canadians that, in an effort to contain COVID-19 in their country, they should expect additional measures to curb travel in the near future.

As Connecting the Dots readers are aware, the land border between Canada and the United States is closed to most travelers while air travel remains open but is discouraged. (Travelers into the country also are required to present a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before their flight into Canada.)

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