Canadian Ministers of Health, Transport and Public Safety have announced in a media release the imposition of additional border restrictions intended to control the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Foreign nationals who have visited any of the following countries in the previous 14 days will be denied entry to Canada:
- Botswana
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
The Public Health Agency of Canada is contacting travelers who have entered Canada from any of these countries since 16 November 2021, to direct them to be tested and enter quarantine until a negative test result is received.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons with Status under the Indian Act, regardless of vaccination status or having previously tested positive for COVID-19, who have visited any of the countries listed above in the previous 14 days will be subject to "enhanced pre-entry and arrival testing, screening and quarantine measures" including:
- Obtain within 72 hours of departure a valid negative COVID-19 molecular test in a 3rd country before continuing on to Canada.
- Complete testing upon arrival in Canada.
- Complete another test on Day 8.
- Quarantine for 14 days.
- Those arriving by air must stay in a designated quarantine facility until receiving a negative test result.
- Those arriving by land who have a "suitable and result quarantine plan" where they will have no contact with persons not traveled with, and also private transportation to that location, can proceed directly there. Others will have to stay at a designated quarantine facility.
Shortly, all fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Canada by air from countries other than the US will be subject to arrival testing, and will be required to quarantine while awaiting test results.
Unvaccinated travelers with right to enter Canada will be tested on arrival and on day 8 post-arrival, and must quarantine for 14 days. Those arriving by air will be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility "or other suitable location" while awaiting results of arrival test.
The Government of Canada will continue to adjust border measures as necessary
