Travel
Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
As of December 11, 2020 publicly funded testing centres (i.e., assessment centres and pharmacies) will no longer provide COVID-19 testing for the purpose of international travel. Private lab options are available for individuals without symptoms who require testing before travelling.
If you must travel to other areas in Ontario, follow public health advice:
Before you go
- Consider the risks associated with travelling.
- Be aware of the status of COVID-19 at your destination. View regional status in Ontario.
- Check the local requirements for your destination (e.g., rules about face coverings).
- Drastically reduce close contact with others 10 to 14 days before travelling. This will help lower your risk of exposure to COVID-19 before travelling.
- Check your employer’s requirements for returning to work after travel.
During your trip
- Keep a 2 metre distance from people outside of your household.
- Wear a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Wash your hands often.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm.
- Avoid spending time in large crowds or crowded areas.
- Monitor your health. If you become sick when you are travelling, self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.
When you return
- Drastically reduce close contact with others for 10 to 14 days after returning home. This will help lower your risk of spreading COVID-19 after travelling, if you have been exposed.
- Self-monitor for symptoms.
- If you develop symptoms, self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.
Travel outside of Ontario
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly advises that individuals and families:
- only travel out of the province if it is essential
- self-isolate for 10 days when arriving in or returning to Ontario
Individuals and families who consider travelling to another province for essential reasons should:
- consider the risk associated with travelling. For example, consider the COVID-19 transmission and entry requirements (e.g., mandatory self-isolation) of the other province or territory.
- drastically reduce close contact with others 10 to 14 days before travelling and after returning home. This will help lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19 before travelling and spreading COVID-19 after travelling.
Travel outside of Canada
Individuals and families should avoid non-essential travel outside of the country.
To slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in the country, the Government of Canada has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act that applies to all travellers arriving in Canada.
Under this order, if you have recently returned to Canada you must self-isolate (quarantine) and stay home whether you have symptoms or not. Even if you do not have symptoms right away, you are at risk of developing them and infecting others.
If you need it, you will get immediate medical attention when you arrive in Canada.
Learn about travel advisories related to COVID-19 in Canada.
Individuals and families who consider travelling outside of the country for essential reasons should visit the Government of Canada website for information on:
- travel advisories
- staying safe during your trip
- requirements for entry back into Canada
If you have questions about returning to Canada:
- Call the Government of Canada COVID-19 info line at 1-833-784-4397.
- Review the ArriveCAN website or give them a call. Services are offered in English and French
- Telephone: 1-833-283-7403 (toll-free from Canada or the U.S)
- Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-465-7735 (Canada and U.S. only)
- From outside Canada or the U.S.: 613-954-8485
- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, 7 days a week. On statutory holidays, calls are answered between 8 am and 8 pm ET.
Mandatory self-isolation when returning to Canada
The Government of Canada has put in place an emergency order under the Quarantine Act to slow the spread of COVID-19. When returning from travel outside of Canada you are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
- If you are fully vaccinated, you may be exempt from this requirement.
If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 during quarantine, you must begin isolation for an additional 14 days from the date of your positive COVID-19 test or the date your symptoms started.
Depending on how you have travelled, there are additional requirements for entry back into Canada and for your quarantine period.
- For international travellers returning by air
- For international travellers returning by land
Travellers entering Canada must also provide their contact information through the:
- ArriveCan app (iOS or Android), or
- ArriveCAN website, or
- a paper form.
You can use the ArriveCAN app to speed up your arrival process in Canada. Information can be submitted using the app within 48 hours before arriving in Canada.
Exemptions from mandatory self-isolation when returning to Canada
For more information about exemptions and how to apply, visit the Government of Canada website.
Resources
- Easing border measures for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada - Permitting discretionary travel for citizens and permanent residents of the United States - Government of Canada
- For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada by air - Government of Canada
- For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada by air - Government of Canada