COVID-19: Application of the Quarantine Act Border Measures (ArriveCAN 2) (July 2020)

Description of the ArriveCAN application

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced border measures authorized by the Quarantine Act were introduced to ensure appropriate actions are taken to reduce the spread of the virus. In an effort to digitize the information collected, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) collaborated to develop ArriveCAN, which is available as a mobile application or by signing in online.

Travellers entering Canada by air or land, with limited exceptions, are required to submit their COVID-related information electronically before they board their flight or before arrival at a land border crossing. ArriveCAN is a secure and user-friendly tool to help travellers comply with these border measures. Travellers can submit their information using the ArriveCAN mobile app or by signing in online at Canada.ca/ArriveCAN.

By using an electronic method, physical contact between travellers and border services officers and PHAC officers is limited which helps to protect the health and safety of both travellers and officers. Also, ArriveCAN allows for the more rapid transfer of traveller data to local public health, which in turn enables continued public health support and verification of travellers' compliance with quarantine measures.

Why was a Privacy Compliance Evaluation completed

In accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Interim Directive on Privacy Impact Assessment, a Privacy Compliance Evaluation was completed in place of a full Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA). As a new program and urgent COVID-19-related initiative, ArriveCAN meets the criteria for a Privacy Compliance Evaluation. A full PIA will be completed and submitted to TBS and to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, in accordance to the timeline described in the Directive.

More Information

The Privacy Compliance Evaluation examined the collection, use, disclosure and retention of personal information of all Government Departments responsible for creating and supporting the ArriveCAN application. The Privacy Compliance Evaluation recommended the following actions to mitigate privacy risks:

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