Skip to content

Search website by keyword

Flight Information

Travel Directives and Additional Resources

The Government of Canada has issued a number of directives and screening measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Effective January 26, all air passengers over the age of 2 flying to the United States will be required to test negative for COVID-19.  More information.
  • Effective January 7, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. EST, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada.  This additional requirement does not replace existing quarantine requirements upon arrival into Canada.  More Information.
  • Canada has closed its borders to foreign nationals, with some exceptions until February 21, 2021.
  • All Canadians should avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
  • All travellers returning to the country are required to self-isolate for 14-days upon returning to Canada, with exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people.
  • Effective November 21, 2020, it is mandatory for travelllers flying into Canada via one of the designated airports accepting international flights (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver) to submit their COVID-19 related information digitally using ArriveCAN app prior to boarding their flight.  For more information: Canada.ca/ArriveCAN
  • Canadians travelling domestically will not be allowed to board a flight if they show symptoms of COVID-19.  
  • PHAC, the Public Health Agency of Canada, requires airlines to conduct health checks of all travellers before they board an aircraft. The health check may be administered by an airline employee at the check-in counter or at the boarding gate.

  • The Government of Canada has also strongly advised Canadians to:
    • Avoid non-essential travel outside the country until further notice.
    • All Canadians abroad should return home.
    • All Canadians returning are required to self-isolate for 14-days upon entry.  There are exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people however, they are subject to PHAC Health Check.
    • Flights, cruise and places or events with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are listed on the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website.  Please check this website if you travelled recently.
  • Effective March 18, the Government of Canada restricted overseas flights to arrive into four (4) airports; Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, Vancouver and Calgary.  
  • Effective April 10, all international travellers into BC are required by order of BC's Provincial Health Officer to self-isolate for 14-days and complete a self-isolation plan.  If you are a returning Canadian or on essential business travel, you will be allowed in.
  • Effective April 20, the Government of Canada requires air passengers to have non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during portions of their travel through Canadian airports and in-flight.  Travellers without a mask will not be allowed to continue with their travel.

    Face Covering Requirements for Air Travellers

  • Face Masks Allowed vs Not Allowed

Temperature Screening Requirements For Air Passengers.  The Government of Canada has introduced new requirements for temperature screening of all air passengers travelling to Canada or those departing Canadian airports for either domestic, United States or international destinations.  Temperature Screening for passengers departing Victoria (YYJ) will begin by Canadian Airport Transport Screening Authority (CATSA) Screening Officers on September 30, 2020.

 

For a complete list of COVID-19 measures, updates and guidance issued by Transport Canada please visit their website.

  • CATSA, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority under direction from Transport Canada is temporarily permitting additional 350ml of hand sanitizer through security screening.  Passengers may be asked to surrender it upon arrival international destinations.

Additional Resources 

Canadians Abroad In Need of Emergency Assistance

Call:  1-613-996-8885
Email:  sos@international.gc.ca

Canada has active COVID-19 travel advisories and several restrictions now in place and travellers are asked to consult the destination page at travel.gc.ca for the latest travel advisories.  New restrictions may be imposed with little warning.