Travelling to and from Canada during COVID

Many of us still have the travel bug that has been dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions lift, if you are planning a trip for work or leisure, there is lots to consider to feel safe and comfortable before you hit the tarmac or roll up to the border.

COVID-19 has resulted in many changes to travelling within and outside of Canada. Some changes may be in place for years to come. Take time to thoroughly research everything about your travel plans before taking the step of paying for your trip.

One of the best resources for Canadians planning a trip is the Government of Canada’s travel.gc.ca(opens in a new tab) website. The site is full of useful resources for travellers, including tips on how to travel safely during the pandemic. You can review information on COVID-19 testing, vaccination requirements to board planes and some trains, the accepted vaccines, and travelling only when you are symptom free.

You should be aware that all travellers, no matter what their age, are required to use ArriveCan(opens in a new tab) to enter Canada. The mobile app is available for free on Google Play or on the App Store. For more information visit ArriveCan(opens in a new tab). Before travelling abroad, check in with your employer’s Human Resources department to see if there are any policies in place around returning to work after international travel.

Check with your airline or travel provider to be aware of all travel requirements, cancellation policies, or changes that you should be aware of and recommendations on how much time you need to build into your schedule when you are checking into an airport or crossing a border by land.

If you are travelling abroad, take the time in advance to review the travel advisories, COVID-19 testing, and vaccination requirements of the host country. Every country has unique requirements and guests are expected to follow them. Taking the time upfront to review their different restrictions and requirements will be worthwhile and give you peace of mind while you are on vacation.

Since the pandemic is worldwide and contracting the virus can happen when you least expect it, take time to contact your benefit provider to make sure you are covered by travel health insurance through your employer. If not, we recommend purchasing third party travel insurance covering COVID-19 related trip interruptions. This will protect you (and your family) as you travel. Before signing on the dotted line, carefully review the policy to understand what it covers. The Government of Canada recommends purchasing travel insurance for any international travel, even for short trips such as spending one day in the United States.

The last thing you want is to be stranded in another country and be forced to quarantine in a hotel at your personal expense. You will therefore want to be sure to have funds available should an unforeseen stay occur.

If you have returned from a cruise, you can check in with the Government of Canada’s website(opens in a new tab) to see if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

For many of us, travel is one of the most pleasurable ways to spend time off. We encourage you to prepare in advance, take extra precautions and stay safe.