Federal Government of Canada moving to Phase One of easing border measures on July 5, 2021‎

On June 21, 2021, the Federal Government of Canada announced the details of Phase One of its approach to ease border measures for travellers entering Canada.

Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, travellers who: (1) have been fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at least14 days prior to entering Canada; (2) are asymptomatic; (3) have electronically submitted documentation demonstrating their vaccinations 72 hours prior to arrival; (4) present a suitable precautionary quarantine plan on arrival; and (5) comply with pre- and on-arrival testing, are exempt from the following measures:

• The14 day federal quarantine requirements upon entry into Canada, as well as the requirement to receive a COVID-19 test on day eight of their quarantine; and
• The requirement to stay at a government authorized hotel.

All fully vaccinated travellers are still required to comply with all public health measures in place, including but not limited to wearing a mask in public and for 14 days from arrival, maintaining a copy of their proof of vaccination, test results, and list of close contacts.

The Government of Canada also announced that Phase One provides no changes to Canada’s current border measures for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. Therefore, the following border measures remain in force:

• Requiring partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to adhere to current testing and federal quarantine requirements and providing COVID-19 related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada; and
• Requiring partially vaccinated and unvaccinated air travellers to book a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada.

At present, the following border measures currently apply to all travellers:

• Restricting travel to eligible individuals only;
• Requiring a pre-entry COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your scheduled departure time;
• Registering in advance for and taking your on-arrival COVID-19 test;
• Submitting travel details on ArriveCan 72 hours before arrival;
• Presenting ArriveCan receipt, test results, and quarantine plan to be assessed by the Border Services Officer;
• Quarantining for14 days from the day of your arrival; and
• Taking a test on day eight and waiting for your results.

Additionally, the following border measures continue to apply to all air travellers until July 5, 2021:

• Booking a three-night hotel stopover before boarding your flight;
• Presenting hotel confirmation to be assessed by the Border Services Officer;
• Going directly to your pre-booked three-night hotel stay while waiting for your on-arrival test results; and
• Quarantining for an additional 11 days at a place of your choosing.

The Government of Canada has yet to release details regarding the Phase Two travel restrictions.

Notwithstanding this announcement, the Government of Ontario is still strongly advising everyone to continue to stay at home, avoid social gatherings, minimize travel between areas with different rules, and limit close contacts to their household. The Government of Ontario also requires that employers ensure employees work remotely, unless the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the workplace.

We will continue to monitor and provide updates as soon as they become available. The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving with new measures being adopted ‎or modified at both ‎the ‎federal and provincial level. For further information, please consult our ‎Coronavirus Resource ‎Centre or feel free to contact any member of our DLA Piper Canadian Employment and ‎Labour Law Service ‎Group, who will ‎ensure that you are acting upon the most up-to-date information.