Covid-19: What you need to know about traveling in and out Canada during the pandemic

Hello travel lovers,

It’s no news that the Canadian border has been closed for over a year now. Although a few people have been able to travel in and out of the country, the process can be a hassle. Personally, it took more than a year before I was able to travel out of the country. In this blog post, I will be sharing all that I know regarding my experience safely travel in and out of the country.

First of all, it is not advisable to travel out of the country except it is regarded essential. Everyone is hoping the Covid cases drop down and a good number of people have been able to take the vaccine. Hopefully, that way, the border can be open again and people can travel with ease. Here is a list of what you need to know before you travel out of Canada and before return safely.

Important Covid-19 travel information from travels leaving and entering Canada

Before you travel out of Canada or if you are already out of Canada, use this link to find out if you will be allowed to come into the country. Strict travel rules have been put in place in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Before boarding any flight outside of Canada, you must present a negative covid PCR test result. This is required to leave Canada and most likely required to enter your destination country. Bear in mind that your destination country might also require some other arrival documents like entry forms, Antigen test for covid, etc. So make sure to do your research.
Each destination has its rule in terms of the Covid test. Most of them require that your covid is taken at least 72 hours before departure of your flight. For Canada, you need to show a negative covid test result before you board a flight out of the country and when you arrive into the country.
Covid PCR test cost about $170 CAD. There are multiple locations you can take this test just make sure it is a PCR test. This test can also be taken at the airport and you won’t get charged. However, you need to register on time and your spot is only guaranteed if your registration is confirmed. Use this link to book for your Covid-19 PCR test and Covid-19 Antigen test at the airport.
Canada requires you to quarantine for 14 days. You will receive multiple check-in calls and someone might come to your home to confirm you are in quarantine.
While at the airport, you will be given a home test kit. On the 8th day, you will be asked to take another covid test at home. Someone will give you a call via zoom to watch you as you take your test. And someone will come over to your home to pick up your test kit. Once results are available they will contact you.
You need to have an ArriveCan login. You will need to put in some of your travel information and you will be using ArrivCan to confirm if you have Covid-19 symptoms every single day for the next 14 days after arrival. Failure to do this might result in something else.
On arrival to Canada, you will need to take a Covid tets at the airport and quarantine in a government hotel for 3 days until your result is out. If your result is negative, you will be allowed to go home and quarantine. If you result is positive you will be transferred elsewhere. Use this link to find out how to book hotel stopovers.
You do not necessarily need to stay at the hotel for the complete 3 days except your result takes 3 days to be out. If your result comes out within a day, you can contact the number given to you and ask if you can go home. You will be permitted to go home to complete the rest of your 14-day quarantine as far as your result is negative. If this is the case for you, then you can try to ask the hotel for a refund for the days you won’t be staying (In our example 2 days). You may be able to get a refund.
Some people are exempted from arrival test requirements and some are exempted from arrival quarantine requirements. Use this link to educate yourself on this topic.

I hope the above information will help you when it comes to essential travel out of the country and when you plan to return. I have put together below a couple of important links.

Covid-19: What you need to know about traveling in and out Canada during the pandemic