- ban foreign nationals from all countries except the United States from entering Canada. This measure does not apply to air crews, travellers arriving in Canada in transit to a third country, Canadian permanent residents, diplomats or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
- redirect international passenger flight arrivals to 4 airports:
- Calgary International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Toronto-Pearson International Airport
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
This measure will not affect domestic flights or flights from the U. S., sun destinations (such as Mexico and the Caribbean), or St. Pierre-et-Miquelon, which can continue to operate on their regular routes and land at current Canadian destinations. The Government is working closely with the airline industry and airports to avoid unnecessarily disrupting operations and to minimize the inconvenience to travellers.
Canada will also implement measures at airports to:
- strengthen health screening
- increase presence to conduct further health screening and public outreach
- increase signage throughout the arrivals area to encourage travellers to follow the latest public health guidance
- prevent all travellers who have COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of their citizenship, from boarding international flights to Canada
- airlines will conduct a basic health assessment of all air travellers based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada
Self-isolation
As of March 16, 2020, all travellers entering Canada are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry with exceptions for workers who are essential to the movement of goods and people. Individuals should avoid contact with other people for 14 days, while monitoring themselves closely for symptoms.
The following questions are now being asked at electronic kiosks and by all border services officers at the primary inspection line at all air, land, ferry and rail ports of entry:
- Do you currently have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel you have a fever?
- I acknowledge that I am/we are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
Border services officers remain vigilant and are highly trained to identify travellers seeking entry into Canada who may pose a health and safety risk. All travellers (no matter their country of origin) are assessed on arrival to Canada.
These measures complement routine traveller screening procedures already in place to detect and respond to the spread of serious infectious diseases into and within Canada.
When showing signs and symptoms of infection
As part of our regular procedures, when a traveller shows signs of an infectious disease upon arrival in Canada, border services officers, or airport and airline staff contact aquarantine officer.
The quarantine officer then performs a more detailed assessment. If necessary, the quarantine officer will address the potential public health risk, such as:
- ordering the traveller to be transported to hospital to undergo a medical examination
- reporting to the local public health authority
