New mandatory requirements applicable to travellers to Canada |ADDICTED

For those leaving and coming back to Canada, or those who’ve been away throughout the pandemic and are finally coming home, please acquaint yourself with the latest information and tools for the Government of Canada so you may arrive safely and know the proper procedures upon arrival.

ArriveCAN, developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency, launched in April to support the Government of Canada’s efforts to reduce the spread and prevent importation of COVID-19. ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or by signing in online. It provides a digital way for travellers to easily and securely provide information that is required for entry into Canada.

Photo by Nur Andi Ravsanjani Gusma

The Government of Canada announced, as of November 21, 2020, new mandatory requirements applicable to travellers to Canada to submit COVID-related information digitally.

This is a significant step in stopping the spread of COVID-19 – traveller information can be shared quickly and securely with provinces and territories to contact travellers for public health follow-up, and with law enforcement to verify compliance with the Mandatory Isolation Order.

Submitting information digitally in all modes of travel will also help travellers reduce their processing time at the border and limit physical contact between travellers and border services officers and Public Health Agency of Canada officers. This also protects the health and safety of travellers and officers.

Pre-arrival to Canada:

As of November 21, 2020, air travellers, whose final destination is Canada, will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. This includes travel and contact information, quarantine plan (unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order), and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment. Travellers must be ready to show their ArriveCAN receipt when seeking entry into Canada; a border services officer will verify that they have submitted their information digitally.

Starting on November 4, 2020, air travellers can expect to be reminded by their air carrier of the need to submit COVID-related information digitally through ArriveCAN prior to boarding their flight to Canada.

Travellers who do not submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to $1,000 fine.

Starting immediately, travellers entering Canada by land or marine are strongly encouraged to continue using ArriveCAN to provide the mandatory information before they arrive to avoid additional delays for public health questioning and to limit points of contact at the border. Travellers can show their ArriveCAN receipt to a border services officer when seeking entry into Canada.

Post-entry to Canada:

As of November 21, 2020, travellers who enter Canada by air, land or marine, unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order, will also be required to submit information through ArriveCAN or by calling the 1-833-641-0343 toll-free number during their quarantine or isolation period. Within 48 hours of entering Canada, travellers must confirm they have arrived at their place of quarantine or isolation, and those in quarantine must complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during their quarantine period.

Travellers who don’t use ArriveCAN to submit their information before entering Canada will be required to call the 1-833 641-0343 toll-free number daily throughout their quarantine or isolation period to provide their post-border information. They will not be able to revert to using ArriveCAN.

Travellers who do not submit the mandatory information required after they have crossed the border will be considered a high priority for follow-up by law enforcement.

The Government of Canada is taking a variety of measures at the border as part of its efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. These new mandatory requirements will help travellers comply with these border measures in a way that is quick, easy and secure.

ArriveCAN does not use any technology or data, such as GPS, to monitor or track traveller movements. Your privacy is protected.

The ArriveCAN app is available for download on Google Play for Android or through the App Store for iOS. Travellers can also submit their information by signing in online.

For more information, visit: Canada.ca/ArriveCAN

Government of Canada’s suite of digital tools

ArriveCAN joined the Government of Canada’s suite of digital tools related to COVID-19, including the Get Updates on COVID-19 web-based email service that provides subscribers with critical information related to the pandemic, and the Canada COVID-19 mobile app, which features a symptom tracker, a self-assessment tool, and information on mental health and substance use support through the Wellness Together Canada portal.

The Government of Canada has also developed a nation-wide exposure notification mobile app, COVID Alert, which uses exposure notification technology designed by Google and Apple to let users know if they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 across Canada. We are working with the provinces and territories so that they can customise public health information based on their jurisdiction. Use of the app is voluntary. COVID Alert is available for download on iOS and Android.

The Government of Canada continues to work hard to provide Canadians with access to up-to-date information, tools and resources on COVID-19. The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to make available additional digital platforms that can help with the response to COVID‑19, including education, information, mental health and substance use supports, alerts, and screening tools.