Stricter COVID related border controls for travellers entering Canada by land go into place tomorrow with even tighter restrictions for all travellers beginning February 22nd. Prime Minister Trudeau announced the measures on Friday.
Travellers arriving at land border crossings beginning tomorrow will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID molecular test taken in the U-S within 72 hours of arrival – or – a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival. You will also be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Starting February 22nd – the restrictions for both land and air travellers entering the country get tighter. On that date – travellers entering Canada at the land border will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as toward the end of their 14 day quarantine period. Those same requirements apply to air travellers.
However in addition travellers entering the country by air will also be required to reserve a 3 night stay in a government approved hotel prior to departure. Travellers will be able to book their government-authorized stay starting February 18th. These new measures are in addition to existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for air travellers.
And all travellers whether by land or air will be required to submit their travel and contact information including quarantine plan through the ArriveCAN app before crossing the border or boarding a flight. The new regulations are backed by fines – penalties – and potential jail time for failing to comply and/or providing false information.