Canada to Require Mandatory COVID-19 Test, Quarantine for International Arrivals

This afternoon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced updated travel restrictions to stem the spread of rising COVID-19 cases across the country, as reported by the AP. Travelers returning to Canada from overseas will be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival followed by compulsory quarantine in state-approved hotels (at the traveler's expense) until test results are received.

If the results are negative, the traveler will be permitted to finish out a 14-day mandatory quarantine at their residence. If the traveler tests positive, they will remain in state-supervised facilities until they recover.

“We will also, in the coming weeks, be requiring nonessential travelers to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the U.S., and we are working to stand up additional testing requirements for land travel,” Trudeau added.

The measures were announced as part of a "multi-layered approach" to "significantly reduce the risk of the importation of new [coronavirus] variants" throughout Canada. Flights to "sun destinations" as well as Mexico have also been cancelled through April 30th as part of this plan. For now, incoming international flights will be permitted to land only in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Canada has had a ban on non-essential travel into the country by anyone who isn't a citizen or permanent resident since March 2020.

We will update this post as more information is made public.

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