COVID19 Rules for Entry for Canadians

by | Sep 1, 2021 | Travel

Travel has opened up around the world. But there’s a patchwork of rules and regulations that vary from country to country. Some destinations are wide open, but some are still closed to international visitors. Among those that are open, rules vary considerably. Some countries require testing to be done in advance. Some require proof of vaccination. A few still have quarantine rules in effect.

Here are some destinations’ answers to the following questions

  1. Is your destination accepting Canadians? – Y or N
  2. If not, anticipated dates when Canadians will be provided access.
  3. For countries allowing Canadian access, which vaccines are accepted?
  4. What are the testing protocols to gain access to the destination.
  5. Is there a quarantine program in effect?

As always, especially in this day and age, please carefully review destination rules and read the fine print for both destinations and airlines. You also need to be familiar with local rules regarding masks and social distancing. Rules can change quickly in this day and age, so be prepared.

Also be aware that some countries require medical insurance, and that most countries will require you to fill out a health form before you go, or a contract tracing form, or both. It’s complicated, so working with a travel advisor who knows the rules of your destination is a great idea.

Bahamas

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination not required for entry.
  4. Canadians must upload negative Rapid Antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than five days before travel.
  5. No quarantine.

Belize

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. No proof of vaccination is required.
  4. A negative result of a Covid-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative result from any approved Antigen Rapid Test taken within 48 hours of travel is required.
  5. No quarantine.

Chile

  1. Not accepting Canadians. That could change soon, perhaps by Sept. 1, government websites suggest.

Costa Rica

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination is required. Mixed vaccines are accepted if authorized by a “strict health authority, such as Public Health Canada.” Tourists not vaccinated, with incomplete vaccination or vaccinated with a serum other than those admitted by the Costa Rican authorities, must purchase mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease, as detailed on the Visit Costa Rica website. https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements#Document
  4. There are currently no testing protocols prior to, or on arrival to Costa Rica.
  5. No mandatory quarantine

Cuba

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit Varadero and Cayo Coco only.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination not required for entry.’
  4. No test needed for entry, but RT-PCR test taken on arrival at no charge. Visitors must wear masks until test results are received (usually 24 hours).
  5. Quarantine of 14 days only if visitor tests positive upon arrival.

Dominican Republic

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. /4./5. Vaccines are not required. Random breath checks and temperature checks are taken at the airport. If you can show proof of a vaccine (any combo) or a negative PCR test you are exempt from rapid testing. While vaccines and PCR tests are not required, all visitors must complete the e-ticket entry form on line prior to arrival.

Dubai

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination not required.
  4. Visitors must present a negative result of a PCR test at the departure airport. This test should have been conducted within 72 hours before travelling to Dubai. You may need to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.
  5. No quarantine.

France

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination is required. Visitors must have had two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca (Europe or Covishield). A mixed vaccine (AZ/Pfizer or AZ/Moderna) also is accepted, as is a Pfizer/Moderna mix.
  4. No testing required with proof of vaccination.
  5. No quarantine.

ADDED INFORMATION: Since August 9th, there is another “Covid Certificate” required to access venues, transportation, etc. when in France. It is a separate process from the border entry. For that new activity health pass, the “Covid certificate”, all visitors including foreign nationals are required to download the TousAntiCovid app.

Germany

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination is required: two doses of Pfizer, two of Moderna or two of Astra Zeneca are accepted. AstraZeneca vaccination followed by Pfizer or Modern also is acceptable.
  4. Testing is waived for fully vaccinated or recovered air travellers. These persons no longer have to present a negative test prior to departure. All travellers 12 years and older who are neither fully vaccinated nor fully recovered must continue to present a negative COVID test prior to departure. Both PCR tests and rapid antigen tests are accepted. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering Germany; the rapid antigen test no more than 48 hours.
  5. No quarantine.

Ireland

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination required or proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 180 days. “At present, approved vaccines in Ireland include Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. At this time travellers with a mixed course of vaccinations are not included under the criteria for being fully vaccinated, however we are hoping that this will change very soon. “
  4. For those that are fully vaccinated no travel-related testing is needed. If you don’t have valid proof of vaccination or recovery, you will need to present a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country and self-quarantine for 14 days. If you receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken from day five onwards after arrival into Ireland, you will be able to leave quarantine
  5. For those that are fully vaccinated no quarantine is needed. See above answer for non-vaccinated visitors and quarantine.

Italy

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. /4./5. In order to avoid quarantine, Canadians need to present proof of vaccination, with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Some mixed vaccines also are allowed. Proof of recovery from COVID-19 and the termination of medical isolation also is accepted. Visitors must have a negative result for a rapid molecular or antigenic test performed in the 48 hours prior to entry.

NOTE: Italy has a so-called “Green Pass” that is required for entry to many public places.

Mexico

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. No vaccination proof required.
  4. No testing requirements, but travellers must complete a health declaration form and scan the QR code it generates on arrival.
  5. No quarantine

Scotland

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit.
  2. N/A
  3. All visitors arriving from Canada, regardless of vaccination status, must follow the latest Scottish Government guidance which now includes the need to complete a passenger locator form, take a COVID-19 test before travelling, and book and pay for a PCR test.
  4. The COVID-19 test should be taken in the three days before travelling, and when boarding the plane, visitors may need to provide proof of a negative result.  The PCR test costs £68 and must be taken within two days of arriving in Scotland. To organize the delivery of a PCR test to a visitors’ vacation accommodation, please visit: https://quarantinehotel.ctmportal.co.uk/Quarantine/Home.aspx?country=Scotland.
  5. Visitors will no longer need to quarantine on arrival into the country unless the result of the COVID-19 test is positive or NHS Scotland Test and Protect inform them of close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Thailand

  1. Canadians can travel to Phuket as part of the Phuket Sandbox program, whereby travellers stay in Phuket for seven days before having the ability to move on to a selection of additional Thai destinations for another seven days.
  2. N/A
  3. A certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health or the World Health Organization (WHO) no less than 14 days before their travel date is required.
  4. A negative RT-PRC test result is required within 72 hours of travel. More tests may be required after arrival.
  5. Effective August 16, the Phuket Sandbox’s new ‘7+7 Extension’ programme offers fully vaccinated international travellers the opportunity to reduce the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to 7 days, after which another 7 nights can be spent in Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, or Ko Tao).

Tahiti

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit, but there are additional travel restrictions in place through September 6.
  2. N/A
  3. Two doses of Pfizer, two of Moderna, two of AstraZeneca are acceptable. A mixed vaccine also is allowed.
  4. A PCR or a Rapid Antigen test must be taken in the 72 hours leading up to departure.
  5. No quarantine if vaccinated; ten day quarantine if not vaccinated.

United Kingdom

  1. Canadians are allowed to visit. Canada was to be placed on the UK “green list” of countries as of Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at 4 a.m. British time.
  2. N/A
  3. Proof of vaccination is not required.
  4. Travellers from Canada need to take pre-departure and day 2 tests and complete a passenger locator form. Tests must be taken within three days of departure. Examples of allowable tests include a PCR test, a LAMP test or an antigen test, such as an LFD (lateral flow device) test.
  5. No quarantine required unless day two COVID-19 test proves positive.

United States

  1. Canadians are allowed to travel to the U.S. by air, not by land.
  2. N/A
  3. No vaccine requirements for US entry.
  4. A negative test, either PCR or Rapid Antigen Test, must be completed within three days of travel to the US.
  5. No quarantine required.
  6. Thinking of travelling?  Don’t go about it alone. Contact me to discuss where you would like to go and what the Covid travel restrictions are.                        

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before travelling.  OnantaForbes.com does not endorse travelling against government advisories.