Travelling outside of Canada
As of March 30, 2020, all passengers flying in Canada will be subject to a health check prior to boarding.
You will not be permitted to board if you:
- show any symptoms of COVID-19 or
- have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19 or
- are subject to a provincial or local public health order
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be allowed to board any flight until:
- 14 days have passed or
- you present a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms are not related to COVID-19
If you have signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you will not be allowed to use public transportation to travel to the place where you will isolate.
If you must travel during the pandemic
Take precautions against respiratory illnesses, and seek medical attention if you become sick.
During your trip:
- avoid large crowds or crowded areas
- avoid contact with sick people, especially if they have a cough, fever or difficulty breathing
- be aware of the local situation and follow local public health advice
- wash your hands often with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds
- use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available and always keep some with you when you travel
- practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette
Avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada
Canada is advising Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.
Cruise passengers include travellers from around the world who may be arriving from areas with known or unknown spread of COVID-19. The virus can spread quickly on board cruises due to the close contact between passengers. Older people and people with a weakened immune system or underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing severe disease.
Cruise ship outbreaks of COVID-19 indicate that a large number of individuals onboard can become infected.
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, many countries outside of Canada have put policies and restrictions in place to contain the global outbreak. These restrictions may impact a cruise traveller's:
- itinerary
- ability to disembark
- access to health care
If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise ship while you are outside of Canada:
- you could be subject to quarantine procedures onboard ship or in a foreign country
- the range of consular services available to those on cruise ships may be significantly restricted by local authorities, especially in situations of quarantine
- you must quarantine for 14 days upon your return to Canada
If you choose to voyage on a cruise ship, you:
- may not be offered the opportunity to return to Canada on a government-organized repatriation flight or
- could be responsible for the costs of repatriation travel
For information on domestic cruises and passenger vessels, refer to the following:
Non-medical masks or face coverings while travelling
All air travellers, with some exceptions, are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering while travelling.
The following people should not wear a mask:
- children under 2 years old
- people who have trouble breathing
- people who are unable to remove the mask without assistance
In all other modes of federally regulated transportation, operators may require travellers to wear a non-medical mask or face covering whenever possible. This may be the case when interacting with others, and when they cannot maintain a distance of 2 metres.
Before you travel, check for updates to see how transportation measures affect your plans and what you need to pack.
Monitor your health
If you become sick, avoid contact with others except to see a health care professional.
If you feel sick during your flight to Canada or upon arrival, inform the flight attendant or a Canadian Border Services Officer.
If you do not have symptoms but believe you were exposed to someone who was sick with COVID-19, report this information to a Canada border services agent on arrival in Canada. This is required under the Quarantine Act. The Canada border services agent will provide instructions for you to follow.
You will see messaging on arrivals screens at international airports to help guide you if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Arriving travellers will also be provided with information on what symptoms to identify and how to contact local health authorities.
Related links
- Orders in Council under the Quarantine Act
- COVID-19: Legislation and regulations for protecting Canadians
- Advice for cruise travellers
- Travel advice and advisories
- Digital government response to COVID-19
- COVID-19: Your safety and security outside Canada
- Sickness or injury when travelling
- If you get sick after travelling
- Travel vaccinations
- Date modified: