List of Acts and Regulations

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The Public Health Agency of Canada assists the Minister of Health in exercising or performing the Minister's powers, duties, and functions in relation to public health.

Through the delivery of its legislative and regulatory programs, the Agency is seeking to comply with the Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management, which encompasses the commitments outlined in the Government of Canada's Red Tape Reduction Action Plan that responds to the recommendations of the Red Tape Reduction Commission.

Here you will find information regarding Acts and Regulations associated with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act

The purpose of this Act is to establish a safety and security regime to protect the health and safety of the public against the risks posed by human pathogens and toxins.

Department of Health Act

This Act sets out the powers, duties, and functions of the Minister, which extend to all matters covering the promotion or preservation of the health of Canadians over which Parliament has jurisdiction.

Public Health Agency of Canada Act

This Act establishes the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of assisting the Minister of Health in exercising or performing the Minister's powers, duties and functions in relation to public health. It also establishes the office of the Chief Public Health Officer and the office of the President, and the related powers, duties and functions.

Quarantine Act

The purpose of this Act is to protect public health by taking comprehensive measures to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases. The Act authorizes the Minister of Health to establish quarantine stations and quarantine facilities anywhere in Canada, and to designate various officers including quarantine officers, environmental health officers, and screening officers. The Act authorizes measures that can be taken in respect of international travellers, or other persons at an entry or departure point, who have or might have a communicable disease (one that poses a risk of significant harm to public health). It also authorizes measures that can be taken in respect of conveyances arriving in or departing from Canada, and cargo on those conveyances, which could be the source of a communicable disease.

Archived COVID-19 Emergency Orders in Council (OICs) pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act

The Government of Canada's top priority is the health and safety of Canadians. To limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada, the Government of Canada took unprecedented action to implement a comprehensive strategy with layers of precautionary measures.

From 2020 until 2023, Emergency OICs were made under the Quarantine Act to protect the health of Canadians. There are currently no in force Emergency OICs under the Quarantine Act.

Archived OICs:

Archived CPHO and Minister of Health Instruments:

Prior CPHO Group Exemption from Prohibition on Entry from any country other than the US dated October 8, 2020

Pursuant to paragraph 3(1)(j)(ii)of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any country other than the United States), made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, the Chief Public Health Officer may determine a class of persons who provide an essential service while in Canada.

As determined by the Chief Public Health Officer, at this time, the following class of persons are exempt:

  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, as required to install, inspect, maintain or repair equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing);
  • Persons, including a captain, deckhand, observer, inspector, scientist, veterinarian and any other person supporting commercial or research open water aquaculture-related activities, who enter Canada for the purpose of carrying out aquaculture-related activities, including fishing, transporting fish to and from the aquaculture facility, treating fish for pests or pathogens, repairs, provisioning of aquaculture-related vessels or aquaculture facilities or exchange of crew and who proceed directly to an open water facility or vessel upon entry to Canada;
  • Officials of a foreign government, including border services officers, immigration enforcement officers, law enforcement and correctional officers, who are escorting individuals travelling to Canada or from Canada pursuant to a legal process such as deportation, extradition or international transfer of offenders; and
  • Officials of a foreign government, including law enforcement, border enforcement, and immigration enforcement officers, who enter Canada for the purposes of law, border or immigration enforcement, or national security activities that support active investigations, ensure continuity of enforcement operations or activities, or transfer information or evidence pursuant to, or in support, of a legal process; and who are required to provide their services within 14 days of entry and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine.

Upon arriving at a point of entry into Canada, those who fall under the above categories, will not be prohibited from entering the country, provided the standard Government of Canada documentation for foreign nationals is presented and verified by a Canada Border Service Agency Screening Officer.

Please be aware that the mandatory 14-day isolation period for asymptomatic people does not apply to those who meet the exemption criteria. However, should any person - with no exception - arrive at the border exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, they are subject to the isolation orders issued by a Quarantine Officer under the Quarantine Act. This could include home isolation or even immediate referral to a health care facility. This is in the best interest of both the traveller and all other Canadians.

Prior CPHO Group Exemption from pre-arrival COVID-19 test by air mode dated June 17, 2021

Pursuant to Item 3 in Table 1 of Schedule 1 to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations), (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer determines that the following class of persons will provide an essential service and are exempt from the pre-border COVID-19 molecular test requirement under the following conditions:

  • An asymptomatic Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying an individual residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 12 in Table 1 of Schedule 1, if the individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
  • If the urgency of the medical situation does not permit a COVID-19 molecular test to be administered before boarding the aircraft for the flight to Canada, an asymptomatic person accompanying an individual entering by a medical evacuation flight for medical purposes pursuant to Item 16 in Table 1 of Schedule 1, when the individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
Prior CPHO Group Exemption from pre-arrival COVID-19 test by land mode dated June 17, 2021

Pursuant to Item 3 in Table 2 of Schedule 1 to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations), (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health officer determines that the following class of persons will provide an essential service and are exempt from the pre-border COVID-19 molecular test requirement under the following conditions:

  • An asymptomatic Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying an individual residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 12 in Table 2 of Schedule 1, if this individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
Prior CPHO Group Exemption from Quarantine dated June 17, 2021

While an exemption from quarantine may be granted under the federal Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Obligations Order, you are encouraged to consult provincial and territorial resources for any additional restrictions regarding mandatory quarantine, as stricter measures may apply.

Pursuant to Item 4 of Table 1 of Schedule 2 to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Obligations), (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer may determine an exempt class of persons who provide an essential service while in Canada, if the person complies with any conditions imposed on them by the Chief Public Health Officer to minimize the risk of introduction or spread of COVID-19.

As determined by the Chief Public Health Officer, at this time, the following class of persons are exempt from the requirement to quarantine upon entry into Canada:

  • Persons in the trade or transportation sector who are important for the movement of goods or people, including truck drivers and members of a crew on any aircraft, shipping vessel or train, and that cross the border while performing their duties or for the purpose of performing their duties;
  • Persons who must cross the border regularlyFootnote * to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to CanadaFootnote *;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing) and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their entry to Canada and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Persons, including a captain, deckhand, observer, inspector, scientist, veterinarian and any other person supporting commercial or research open water aquaculture-related activities, who enter Canada for the purpose of carrying out aquaculture-related activities, including fishing, transporting fish to and from the aquaculture facility, treating fish for pests or pathogens, repairs, provisioning of aquaculture-related vessels or aquaculture facilities or exchange of crew and who proceed directly to an open water facility or vessel upon entry to Canada;
  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who return from providing such services in another country and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their return to Canada;
  • Commercial conveyance operators repatriating human remains into Canada;
  • Officials of the Government of Canada or a foreign government, including border services officers, immigration enforcement officers, law enforcement and correctional officers, who are escorting individuals travelling to Canada or from Canada pursuant to a legal process such as deportation, extradition or international transfer of offenders;
  • Officials of the Government of Canada, a provincial or a foreign government, including law enforcement, border enforcement, and immigration enforcement officers, who enter Canada for the purposes of law, border or immigration enforcement, or national security activities that support active investigations, ensure continuity of enforcement operations or activities, or transfer information or evidence pursuant to, or in support, of a legal process; and who are required to provide their services within 14 days of entry and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Members of a crew for any conveyance who are re-entering Canada after having left to undertake mandatory training relating to the operation of a conveyance, and who are required by their employer to return to work as members of a crew on a conveyance within 14 days of their return to Canada; and
  • Asymptomatic Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying a person residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 9 in Table 1 of Schedule 2, if the person is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor child or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments

Please be aware that the mandatory 14-day isolation period for asymptomatic people does not apply to those who meet the exemption criteria. During the 14-day period that begins on the day in which they enter Canada, persons exempt from mandatory quarantine must wear a mask that a screening officer or quarantine officer considers suitable when they are in public settings, including when entering Canada. They must also maintain a list of the names and contact information of each person with whom they come into close contact and the locations visited during that period. Exemption from the requirement to quarantine does not automatically infer exemptions from any of the other pre-arrival or post-arrival measures.

Should any person - with no exception - arrive at the border exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, they are subject to the isolation orders issued by a border official under the Quarantine Act. This could include home isolation, a quarantine facility or even immediate referral to a health care facility. Symptomatic persons arriving at the Canadian land border will not be permitted entry unless they have the right to access Canadian health care. This is in the best interest of both the traveller and all other Canadians.

Prior CPHO Group Exemption from Undergoing Tests in Canada dated June 17, 2021

While an exemption from undergoing tests in Canada may be granted under the federal Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Obligations Order, you are encouraged to consult provincial and territorial resources for any additional restrictions regarding mandatory quarantine, as stricter measures may apply.

Pursuant to Item 4 of Table 2 of Schedule 2 to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation, and Other Obligations), (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer may determine an exempt class of persons who provide an essential service while in Canada, if the person complies with any conditions imposed on them by the Chief Public Health Officer to minimize the risk of introduction or spread of COVID-19.

As determined by the Chief Public Health Officer, at this time, the following class of persons are exempt from the requirement to undergo tests upon entry into Canada:

  • Persons in the trade or transportation sector who are important for the movement of goods or people, including truck drivers and members of a crew on any aircraft, shipping vessel or train, and that cross the border while performing their duties or for the purpose of performing their duties;
  • Persons who must cross the border regularly Footnote * to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada Footnote *;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing) and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their entry to Canada and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Persons, including a captain, deckhand, observer, inspector, scientist, veterinarian and any other person supporting commercial or research open water aquaculture-related activities, who enter Canada for the purpose of carrying out aquaculture-related activities, including fishing, transporting fish to and from the aquaculture facility, treating fish for pests or pathogens, repairs, provisioning of aquaculture-related vessels or aquaculture facilities or exchange of crew and who proceed directly to an open water facility or vessel upon entry to Canada;
  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who return from providing such services in another country and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their return to Canada;
  • Commercial conveyance operators repatriating human remains into Canada;
  • Officials of the Government of Canada or a foreign government, including border services officers, immigration enforcement officers, law enforcement and correctional officers, who are escorting individuals travelling to Canada or from Canada pursuant to a legal process such as deportation, extradition or international transfer of offenders;
  • Officials of the Government of Canada, a provincial or a foreign government, including law enforcement, border enforcement, and immigration enforcement officers, who enter Canada for the purposes of law, border or immigration enforcement, or national security activities that support active investigations, ensure continuity of enforcement operations or activities, or transfer information or evidence pursuant to, or in support, of a legal process; and who are required to provide their services within 14 days of entry and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Members of a crew for any conveyance who are re-entering Canada after having left to undertake mandatory training relating to the operation of a conveyance, and who are required by their employer to return to work as members of a crew on a conveyance within 14 days of their return to Canada; and
  • Asymptomatic Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying a person residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 9 in Table 2 of Schedule 2, if the person is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor child or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments

Please be aware that the requirement to undergo tests does not apply to those who meet the exemption criteria. During the 14-day period that begins on the day in which they enter Canada, persons exempt from the requirement to undergo tests must wear a mask that a screening officer or quarantine officer considers suitable when they are in public settings, including when entering Canada. They must also maintain a list of the names and contact information of each person with whom they come into close contact and the locations visited during that period. Exemption from the requirement to undergo tests does not automatically infer exemptions from any of the other pre-arrival or post-arrival measures.

Should any person - with no exception - arrive at the border exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, they are subject to the isolation orders issued by a border official under the Quarantine Act. This could include home isolation, a quarantine facility or even immediate referral to a health care facility. Symptomatic persons arriving at the Canadian land border will not be permitted entry unless they have the right to access Canadian health care. This is in the best interest of both the traveller and all other Canadians.

Prior Minister of Health Group Exceptions from providing information by ArriveCAN dated July 21, 2021

Pursuant to subsection 20(8) of the Order, a person who enters Canada by air or land must provide the information and the evidence of COVID-19 vaccination by electronic means specified by the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to provide their information by those electronic means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the information must be provided in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health.

As determined by the Minister of Health, at this time, the following classes of persons may use an alternative to ArriveCAN:

  • Persons with a disability: Persons whose impairments, activity limitations, or participation restrictions make them unable to provide their information by the specified electronic means (based on WHO definition of disability).
  • Persons who are unable to provide their information by the specified electronic means due to inadequate infrastructure (including limitations of the ArriveCAN application). All travellers are expected to use the most recent version of ArriveCAN unless a new version has been made available within 72 hours of travel.
  • Persons who are unable to provide their information by the specified electronic means due to a service disruption or a natural disaster.
  • Certain Classes of Temporary Foreign Workers: A foreign national who holds a valid work permit issued under subparagraph 200(1)(c)(ii.1) or (iii) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations or a foreign national whose application for a work permit under one of those subparagraphs was approved and who has received written notice of the approval but who has not yet been issued the permit, provided that the permit authorizes the foreign national to work in a unit group referred to in Schedule 1 of the Order (Temporary Foreign Workers - Agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sectors as defined in the QIO).
  • Resettled Refugees: A person whose application for permanent residence was approved under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and who is a Convention Refugee as described in section 96 of that Act or is a member of country of asylum class described in section 147 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and who meets the requirements for financial assistance in the form of funds from a government resettlement assistance program that is available in Canada, as described in subparagraph 139(1)(f)(ii) of those Regulations.
  • Asylum Seekers: Persons referred to in subsection 6(1) or 6(2) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order who made a claim for refugee protection when entering Canada from the United States.
  • Government-authorized Afghanistan Evacuees (in effect until December 31, 2022)
    • Canadian citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals who are the immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, who are part of a Government of Canada-facilitated evacuation relating to Afghanistan; and
    • Other foreign nationals who are part of a Government of Canada-facilitated evacuation relating to Afghanistan; and
    • Crew members who are assisting, or part of, a Government of Canada-facilitated evacuation.

Other than the Quarantine-Exempt travellers, these classes may also use an alternative to ArriveCAN for any other information that must be submitted before or when entering Canada as required under the Order, including:

  • Quarantine plan and/or contact information (subsection 19(4)); and/or

Travel history and information and proof of vaccination status (subsections 20(1), 20(2)).

Prior CPHO Requirement for On Arrival Testing of All Fully Vaccinated Asylum Claimants Entering Canada dated November 27, 2021

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time to time; having considered factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Order, I impose the following requirements on fully vaccinated travellers who make a claim for refugee protection between land Points of Entry (POEs) and who do not have proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result:

  • Undergo a COVID-19 molecular test when entering Canada, in accordance with s. 2.3(1)(a) of the Order;
  • Remain in quarantine until receipt of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer; and
  • In case of a positive COVID-19 molecular test result or signs and symptoms of COVID-19 develop, isolate themselves without delay in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer.

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Order and having considered factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Order, I impose the following requirements on unvaccinated children under 12 years of age (unless under the age of 5 years) travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor who make a claim for refugee protection between land Points of Entry (POEs) and who do not have proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result:

  • Remain in quarantine until receipt of a negative result of a COVID-19 molecular test required under section 2.3(1)(a) of the Order, in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer (a child aged less than five years may leave quarantine when their accompanying adult does); and
  • In case of a positive COVID-19 molecular test result or signs and symptoms of COVID-19 develop, isolate themselves without delay in accordance with instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer.

This requirement remains in effect until 12:01 am EDT on January 31, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO List of specified countries prohibited from entering Canada dated November 27, 2021

A foreign national is prohibited from entering Canada if, within a period of 14 days before the day on which they seek to enter Canada, they were in any of the following countries affected or at risk of being affected by the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529 (Omicron variant):

  • Botswana;
  • Egypt;
  • Eswatini;
  • Lesotho;
  • Malawi;
  • Mozambique;
  • Namibia;
  • Nigeria;
  • South Africa; and
  • Zimbabwe
Prior Minister of Health Specification that the ArriveCAN application and website are and remain the electronic means specified for purposes of electronic submission requirements in the Order dated November 26, 2021

Pursuant to subsections 19(4), 20(8), 23(a), 23(b)(ii) and 36(a) of the Order, made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time to time, the Minister of Health has the authority to specify the electronic means by which travellers submit information as required by the Order.

The ArriveCAN application and web portal are, and have remained since November 2020, the specified electronic means of submitting the mandatory information required under the Order for all travellers, unless otherwise exempt.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Order to provide required information via the ArriveCAN application or web portal constitutes an offence under the Quarantine Act and can result in fines and/or imprisonment, as well as tickets under the Contraventions Act.

Prior CPHO Requirement for in Canada Testing and Quarantine of Certain Exempt Travellers Arriving in Canada from Countries at High Risk of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant dated November 28, 2021

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time to time; having considered factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, the Chief Public Health Officer imposes the conditions and requirements set out below on the following persons:

  • Persons entering Canada by any mode of travel who, within the 14 days prior to entry into Canada, were in a country with an outbreak, or at risk of an outbreak of, the Omicron (SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529), namely:
    1. Botswana;
    2. Eswatini;
    3. Lesotho;
    4. Mozambique;
    5. Namibia;
    6. South Africa;
    7. Zimbabwe; and
    8. Such other country as may be specified under the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada - Specified Countries).

The following measures will apply to these persons:

  1. For members of any of the following groups:
    1. fully vaccinated persons normally subject to mandatory random on arrival COVID-19 molecular testing and normally exempt from quarantine pursuant to the Quarantine Order;
    2. persons normally exempt from quarantine as per Schedule 2, Table 1 (Items 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, or 28) of the Quarantine Order;
    3. persons normally exempt from in Canada COVID-19 molecular testing as per Schedule 2, Table 2 (Items 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 28, 37, 38, or item 40 (if entering on a ferry or pleasure craft vessel as per item 40) of the Quarantine Order; and
    4. persons normally exempt from quarantine as per sections 4.7, 4.8 and subsection 4.92 of the Quarantine Order
      • All in (A) must undergo two COVID-19 molecular tests in Canada, in accordance with paragraphs 2.3(1)(a) and (b) of the Quarantine Order (i.e. on day 1 and day 8);
        • If entering by air: quarantine in a Designated Quarantine Facility, upon the direction of a Quarantine Officer, until receipt of a negative COVID-19 molecular test completed under s. 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 molecular test completed under s. 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order, they must comply with enhanced quarantine measures in a place considered suitableFootnote ** by a quarantine officer, in accordance with instructions provided by a quarantine officer, for the remainder of the 14-day period after entry and report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, through the electronic means specified by a quarantine or screening officer;
        • If entering by land or water, comply with enhanced quarantine requirements as instructed by a quarantine officer, in a suitable placeFootnote ** (as determined by a quarantine officer) and report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of enhanced quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer through the electronic means specified by a quarantine or screening officer.
      • All in (A) must, upon receipt of a positive COVID-19 molecular test completed under s. 2.3(1)(a) or 2.3(1)(b) of the Quarantine Order, isolate themselves for 10 days from the day on which they received a positive test result, without delay, in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer, and part 5 of the Quarantine Order, and report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of isolation within 48 hours after entering Canada in accordance with instructions provided by the Minister of Health, quarantine officer or screening officer;
      • All in (A) must, if upon entry or within the 14 days after entry into Canada they have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19, receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test result, develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or someone with whom they travelled does, isolate themselves for 10 days at a suitable place of isolation, without delay, and in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and part 5 of the Quarantine Order.
  2. For persons over the age of 5 years who have received a prior positive COVID-19 test result within 14-180 days prior to travel (or 10-180 days as of January 15, 2022, at 00:01:00 EST)
    • All in (B) must undergo two COVID-19 molecular tests in Canada, in accordance with paragraphs 2.3(1)(a) and (b) of the Quarantine Order (i.e. on day 1 and day 8);
      • If entering by air, unless exempt from quarantine on the basis not listed in (A) and other than based on their status as a person with a prior positive COVID-19 molecular test result, enter quarantine at a Designated Quarantine Facility upon the direction of a Quarantine Officer until receipt of either:
        • A negative COVID-19 molecular test result completed under s. 2.3(1)(a); or
        • A positive COVID-19 molecular test result completed under s. 2.3(1)(a) which confirms the prior positive and a laboratory confirmation that the traveller does not have the Omicron variant.
      • If entering by land or water, unless exempt from quarantine for a reason not listed in (A) and other than based on their status as a person with a prior positive COVID-19 molecular test result, they must comply with enhanced quarantine requirements for 14 days, in a suitable placeFootnote **, as instructed by a quarantine officer and report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, through the electronic means specified by a quarantine or screening officer;
    • All in (B) must, upon receipt of either of the above noted COVID-19 molecular test results, comply with enhanced quarantine measures in a place considered suitableFootnote ** by a quarantine officer, in accordance with instructions provided by a quarantine officer, for the remainder of a 14-day period after entry, and report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada in accordance with instructions provided by the Minister of Health, quarantine officer or screening officer, through the electronic means specified by a quarantine or screening officer;
    • All in (B) must if upon entry or within the 14 days after entry into Canada, they have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19, receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test result, develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or someone with whom they travelled does, they must isolate themselves for 10 days without delay at a suitable place of isolation, and in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 5 of the Quarantine Order.
  3. For persons listed in Schedule 2, Table 1 of the Quarantine Order (Items 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12 (if disembarking)); or Schedule 2, Table 2 (Items 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12 (if disembarking), 35, 36, or 40 (if entering on a vessel that is not a ferry or a pleasure craft and disembarking):
    • If arriving by air, land, or a vessel that is not a ferry or a pleasure craft, and provided they are not normally subject to COVID-19 molecular testing in Canada as per the Quarantine Order, they must undergo a COVID-19 molecular test when entering Canada in accordance with s. 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order (i.e. day 1 test);
    • In case of a positive COVID-19 molecular test completed under s. 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order, they must isolate themselves for 10 days, at a suitable place of isolation, without delay and in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer, and part 5 of the Quarantine Order.
    • If upon entry or within the 14 days after entry into Canada, they have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19, receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test result, develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or someone with whom they travelled does, they must isolate themselves for 10 days without delay at a suitable place of isolation, and in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 5 of the Quarantine Order.
  4. For unvaccinated children under 12 years of age (travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor):
    • Provided they are normally not subject to quarantine in the Quarantine Order but are required to undergo in Canada COVID-19 molecular testing (unless under the age of 5), they are subject to the same quarantine or isolation requirements applicable to their fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor, as set out herein.
  5. For persons listed in the above sections A - D, who entered Canada within the 14 days prior to the day the conditions and requirements set out herein are imposed:
    • In accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or a screening officer, they must undergo a COVID-19 molecular test in Canada, in accordance with paragraph 2.3(1)(b) of the Quarantine Order; and
    • They must quarantine for the remainder of the 14 days from their date of entry, in accordance with part 4 of the Quarantine Order, in a place considered suitable by a quarantine officer, as per the requirements of s.3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order.

For persons identified in sections A-E above, who travelled with a person who exhibits signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or receives a positive result for any type of COVID-19 test, before the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person they travelled with entered Canada, they must quarantine themselves in a place that meets the conditions set out in section 4.1 of the Quarantine Order, in accordance with Part 4 of the Quarantine Order, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person was most recently exposed to the other person.

For person identified in sections A-E above, a quarantine officer may release a person from any of the above quarantine or testing requirements or vary their requirements, in extraordinary circumstances, in accordance with the guidance provided by the CPHO, if applicable.

For persons identified in sections A-D above, they will also be exempt from the requirement to undergo mandatory randomized testing as normally required pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.2) of the Quarantine Order.

These requirements remain in effect until 00:01:00 EST on January 31, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Requirement to Quarantine for Certain Quarantine Exempt Travellers who have Travelled to Countries other than Canada or the United States within the past 14 days to Mitigate the Spread of the Omicron Variant dated December 7, 2021

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, as amended from time to time; having considered the factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, and in order to address the immediate risks posed by the emergence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) imposes the conditions and requirements set out below.

Application

These conditions and requirements apply to the following persons otherwise normally exempt from quarantine under the Quarantine Order who enter Canada by air or by land, and who:

  1. were in a country other than Canada or the United States within the 14 days prior to entry into Canada;
  2. were not in a country where there is an outbreak or risk of an outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as determined by the CPHO pursuant to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry in to Canada Specified Countries); and
  3. are normally exempt from quarantine only on the basis of their status as:
    • a fully vaccinated person referred to in s.4.9 of the Quarantine Order; or
    • a person with a contraindication to vaccination referred to in section 4.92 of the Quarantine Order; and
  4. Are required to be tested when entering Canada under s.2.3 of the Quarantine Order.

Conditions and Requirements

The above noted travellers must:

  1. Quarantine themselves without delay in a suitable place in accordance with s.3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order and with the requirements set out in sections 4.1 to 4.4 of the Quarantine Order;
  2. Remain in quarantine until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, or until receipt of a negative test result from the on arrival COVID-19 molecular test, whichever comes first;
  3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;
  4. Should they receive a positive COVID-19 test result for a test conducted upon entry or within the 14 days after entry to Canada, have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19 or develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19:
    1. Without delay, report the positive test result or signs and symptoms to the Public Health Agency of Canada by any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;.
    2. Isolate themselves in accordance with the requirements set out in Part 5 of the Quarantine Order for a 10-day period that begins on:
      1. in the case of a person who develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the day on which the person developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or
      2. in the case of a person who receives a positive result,
        1. the date when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider and indicated by the test provider to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, or
        2. if there is no date for when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider, the test result date that was indicated by the test provider to the person or to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer.
    3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of isolation within 48 hours to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health.
  5. If upon entry or within the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, someone who travelled with a person subject to these additional requirements and conditions receives a positive COVID-19 test result, or develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions must quarantine themselves without delay in accordance with Part 4 of the Quarantine Order, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions was most recently exposed to the person with whom they travelled, in accordance with any instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer.

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a quarantine officer may release persons identified above from any of these additional conditions or requirements, or vary these conditions or requirements, in accordance with any applicable guidance the CPHO may provide.

The terms of this decision prevail over those in the Quarantine Order to the extent of any inconsistency.

These conditions and requirements come into effect at 00:01:00 EST on December 7, 2021 and remain in effect until 00:01:00 EST on January 31, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Requirement to Quarantine to Mitigate the Spread of the Omicron Variant for Certain Quarantine-Exempt Travellers Entering Canada by Air or Land dated December 18, 2021.

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, as amended from time to time; having considered the factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, and in order to address the immediate risks posed by the emergence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has repealed the decisions titled:

Immediate Requirement to Quarantine for Certain Quarantine Exempt Travellers who have Travelled to Countries other than Canada or the United States within the past 14 days to Mitigate the Spread of the Omicron Variant that came into effect at 00:01:00 EST on December 7, 2021; and

Temporary Requirement for in Canada Testing and Quarantine of Certain Exempt Travellers Arriving in Canada from Countries at High Risk of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant that came into effect on November 28, 2021.

For greater certainty, persons who were subject to either of the previous decisions before their repeal, and who meet the criteria below will now be subject to new requirements and conditions set out below, as applicable. Those travellers who do not fall within the groups identified below are released from all additional measures. The following conditions and requirements do not apply to persons subject to the November 27, 2021 decision titled Temporary Requirement for On Arrival Testing of all Fully Vaccinated Asylum Claimants entering Canada.

In place of the prior approaches, the CPHO now imposes the following conditions and requirements on to persons who enter Canada by air or by land, and who:

  1. were in a country other than Canada or the United States within the 14 days prior to entry into Canada;
  2. are normally exempt from quarantine only on the basis of their status as:
    • a fully vaccinated person referred to in s.4.9 of the Quarantine Order; or
    • a person with a contraindication to vaccination referred to in section 4.92 of the Quarantine Order; and
  3. are required to be tested when entering Canada under s.2.3 of the Quarantine Order, or who entered Canada when one of the aforementioned repealed CPHO decisions were in effect and who were required to be tested when entering Canada, on entry, pursuant to that decision.

The above noted travellers must:

  1. Quarantine themselves without delay in a suitable place in accordance with s.3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order and with the requirements set out in sections 4.1 to 4.4, and section 4.94 of the Quarantine Order;
  2. Remain in quarantine until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, or until receipt of a negative test result from the on arrival COVID-19 molecular test, whichever comes first;
  3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;
  4. Should they receive a positive COVID-19 test result for a test conducted upon entry or within the 14 days after entry to Canada, have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19 or develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19:
    1. Without delay, report the positive test result or signs and symptoms to the Public Health Agency of Canada by any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;
    2. Isolate themselves in accordance with the requirements set out in Part 5 of the Quarantine Order for a 10-day period that begins on:
      1. in the case of a person who develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the day on which the person developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or
      2. in the case of a person who receives a positive result,
        1. the date when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider and indicated by the test provider to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, or
        2. if there is no date for when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider, the test result date that was indicated by the test provider to the person or to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer.
    3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of isolation within 48 hours to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health.
    4. If upon entry or within the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, someone who travelled with a person subject to these additional requirements and conditions receives a positive COVID-19 test result, or develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions must quarantine themselves without delay in accordance with Part 4 of the Quarantine Order, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions was most recently exposed to the person with whom they travelled, in accordance with any instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer.

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a quarantine officer may release persons identified above from any of these additional conditions or requirements, or vary these conditions or requirements.

These conditions and requirements came into effect on December 18, 2021 at 23:59:59 EST, and remain in effect until 23:59:59 EST on March 31, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Mandatory Random Testing (MRT) Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travellers dated December 22, 2021

Pursuant to subsections 2.3(1.1) and 2.3(1.2) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order), the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) has indicated that the following groups of persons are subject to Mandatory Random Testing (MRT) for their on-arrival (Day 1) molecular test:

  • Fully vaccinated persons (within the meaning of the Quarantine Order) entering Canada by air or land, who are compliant with applicable pre-arrival testing and have provided the applicable information and evidence of vaccination; and
    • are not a person:
      • required to isolate when entering Canada (subsection 5.1(1)); or exempted under the Aeronautics Act from providing evidence of a pre-arrival test result (Item 15 of Table 1 of Schedule 1 to the Quarantine Order).
Prior CPHO Requirement for Non-Fully Vaccinated Operators of Commercial Vehicles Transporting Goods by Land to be Subject to Pre-Arrival Testing, Testing in Canada and Quarantine dated January 14, 2022

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations (the Quarantine Order) made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, as amended from time to time, having considered the factors in subsection 1.3(3) of the Quarantine Order, and in order to address the immediate risks posed by the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants of concern, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), hereby impose the following conditions and requirements:

A/ Application

The conditions in this instrument apply only to persons who:

  1. are not a fully vaccinated person within the meaning of the Quarantine Order; and
  2. enter Canada by land as the operator of a commercial vehicle transporting, or returning from transporting, goods by land, or enter Canada by any means for the purpose of assuming duties to operate such a vehicle within 72 hours of arrival to Canada. This does not include operators of a conveyance that travels only on a railway.

B/ Pre-Arrival Testing

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from pre-arrival testing on the basis of any of:

  • Schedule 1, Table 1, item 2 (a crew member entering by air);
  • Schedule 1, Table 2, item 2 (a crew member entering by land);
  • Schedule 1, Table 2, item 12 (a person in the trade or transportation sector who is important for the movement of goods…including a truck driver…who enters Canada for the purpose of performing their duties as a member of that sector);
  • Schedule 1, Table 3, item 2 (a crew member entering by water).

Those enumerated in this section (B), and who are only normally exempt from pre- arrival testing for the preceding reasons, are now required to undergo pre-arrival testing in accordance with Quarantine Order sections 2.1, 2.2, or 2.21, as applicable.
The requirements imposed in (B) do not apply to persons described in paragraphs 5(5)(h) (persons who enter Canada for the purpose of delivering, installing, maintaining or repairing medically necessary equipment or devices) and (i) (persons who enter Canada for the purpose of donating or making medical deliveries of stem cells, blood and blood products, tissues, organs or other body parts that are required for patient care in Canada) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States) as it will read effective January 15, 2022 at 00:01:00 EST.

C/ Testing in Canada

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from testing in Canada based only on Schedule 2, Table 2, item 1 (a crew member) of the Quarantine Order. Such persons are now required to undergo testing in Canada in accordance with subsection 2.3(1) of the Quarantine Order.

D/ Quarantine

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from quarantine based only on Schedule 2, Table 1, Item 1 (a crew member) of the Quarantine Order. Such persons are now required to quarantine themselves without delay in a suitable place in accordance with subsection 3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order and with the requirements set out in sections 4.1 to 4.4 and section 4.93 of the Quarantine Order.

E/ General Conditions and Requirements

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a Quarantine Officer may release a person identified above from any of these additional conditions or requirements, or vary these conditions or requirements, and if applicable, in accordance with additional guidance I, as CPHO, may provide.
The terms of this decision prevail over those in the Quarantine Order to the extent of any inconsistency.

These conditions and requirements will remain in effect until January 31, 2022, at 23:59:59 EST, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Exemption from the US Prohibition on Entry - Essential Service Providers dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already captured directly in the Order.

Pursuant to paragraph 5(5)(e)(ii) to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States) (the Order), made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) determines that the following classes of persons are entering Canada to provide an essential service, and that there are compelling public interest reasons to grant them an exemption from the prohibition on entry in s.5 of the Order in order to allow them to provide that essential service in Canada.

The following classes of foreign nationals are therefore granted an essential service provider exemption from the prohibition on entry from the US:

  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who enter to assist in response to an active emergency in Canada;
  • Persons who must cross the border regularly to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing); and
  • Asymptomatic foreign nationals accompanying an asymptomatic or symptomatic dependent child under 18 years of age who is receiving essential medical services or treatments in Canada under federal, provincial or territorial care, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed by a quarantine officer.
Prior CPHO Exemption from the Prohibition on Entry from any Country Other than the US - Essential Service Providers dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already captured directly in the Order.

Pursuant to paragraph 6(5)(e)(ii) to the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any Country Other than the United States) (the Order), made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, I determine that the following classes of persons are entering Canada to provide an essential service, and that there are compelling public interest reasons to grant them an exemption from the prohibition on entry in s.6 of the Order in order to allow them to provide that essential service in Canada.

The following classes of foreign nationals are therefore granted an essential service provider exemption from the prohibition on entry from any country other than the US :

  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who enter to assist in response to an active emergency in Canada; and
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing).
Prior CPHO Exemption from Providing Evidence of Pre-Arrival Test Before Boarding - Entering Canada by Aircraft-Essential Service dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already specified in the Order.

Pursuant to Item 3 in Table 1 of Schedule 2 to the Order, made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer determines that the following classes of persons are entering Canada to provide an essential service; the requirement to undergo and provide the results of a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test in accordance with s.11(1) of the Order would adversely affect their ability to provide the essential service; and there are compelling public interest reasons to grant them an exemption from the pre-arrival testing requirement.

The following classes of persons are therefore exempt from the requirement to undergo and, when requested, provide the results of a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test:

  • A fully vaccinated asymptomatic Canadian Citizen, permanent resident of Canada, temporary resident of Canada, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act, who is accompanying an individual residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 12 in Table 1 of Schedule 2, if the individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
  • If the urgency of the medical situation does not permit a COVID-19 molecular test to be administered before boarding the aircraft for the flight to Canada, an asymptomatic person accompanying an individual entering by a medical evacuation flight for medical purposes pursuant to Item 16 in Table 1 of Schedule 2 of the Order, when the individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
Prior CPHO Exemption from Providing Evidence of Pre-Arrival Test when Entering Canada by Land- Essential Service dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already specified in the Order.

Pursuant to Item 3 in Table 2 of Schedule 2 to the Order, made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health officer determines that the following classes of persons are entering Canada to provide an essential service; the requirement to undergo and provide the results of a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test in accordance with s.11(1) of the Order would adversely affect their ability to provide the essential service; and there are compelling public interest reasons to grant them an exemption from the pre-arrival testing requirement.

The following classes of persons are therefore exempt from the requirement to undergo and, when requested, provide the results of a pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test:

  • A fully vaccinated asymptomatic Canadian Citizen, permanent resident of Canada, temporary resident of Canada, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act, who is accompanying an individual residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 12 in Table 2 of Schedule 2 of the Order, if this individual is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments.
Prior CPHO Exemption from Quarantine - Essential Service Providers dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already captured directly in the Order.

Pursuant to Item 4 of Table 1 of Schedule 3 to the Order made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer determines that the following classes of persons enter Canada to provide an essential service; there are compelling reasons, based on the public interest, for their entry to provide that service; and the requirement to quarantine in accordance with section 22 to 25 of the Order would adversely affect their ability to provide that service.

Accordingly, the following persons are exempt from the requirement to quarantine and provision of a suitable quarantine plan (they must still provide their 14-day contact information, mask, and keep a list of close contacts for the 14 days post-entry):

  • Persons who must cross the border regularly to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing) and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their entry to Canada and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Fully vaccinated persons, including a captain, deckhand, observer, inspector, scientist, veterinarian and any other person supporting commercial or research open water aquaculture-related activities, who enter Canada for the purpose of carrying out aquaculture-related activities, including fishing, transporting fish to and from the aquaculture facility, treating fish for pests or pathogens, repairs, provisioning of aquaculture-related vessels or aquaculture facilities or exchange of crew and who proceed directly to an open water facility or vessel upon entry to Canada;
  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who enter or return from providing such services in another country and are required to provide their services in response to an active emergency in Canada;
  • Fully vaccinated commercial conveyance operators repatriating human remains into Canada;
  • Fully vaccinated officials of the Government of Canada or a foreign government, including border services officers, immigration enforcement officers, law enforcement and correctional officers, who are escorting individuals travelling to Canada or from Canada pursuant to a legal process such as deportation, extradition or international transfer of offenders;
  • Fully vaccinated officials of the Government of Canada, a provincial or a foreign government, including law enforcement, border enforcement, and immigration enforcement officers, who enter Canada for the purposes of law, border or immigration enforcement, or national security activities that support active investigations, ensure continuity of enforcement operations or activities, or transfer information or evidence pursuant to, or in support, of a legal process; and who are required to provide their services within 14 days of entry and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Fully vaccinated members of a crew for any conveyance who are re-entering Canada after having left to undertake mandatory training relating to the operation of a conveyance, and who are required by their employer to return to work as members of a crew on a conveyance within 14 days of their return to Canada;
  • Asymptomatic foreign national accompanying an asymptomatic or symptomatic dependent child under 18 years of age who is receiving essential medical services or treatments in Canada under federal, provincial or territorial care, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed on them upon arrival by a quarantine officer; and
  • Asymptomatic Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying a person residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 9 in Table 1 of Schedule 3 of the Order, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed by a quarantine officer, and the accompanied person is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor child or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments
Prior CPHO Exemption from Undergoing Tests in Canada - Essential Service Providers dated January 14, 2022

The following are additional exemptions to those already captured directly in the Order.

Pursuant to Item 4 of Table 2 of Schedule 3 to the Order made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer determines that the following classes of persons enter Canada to provide an essential service and there are compelling reasons, based on the public interest, for their entry to provide that service, and the requirement to undergo post-arrival COVID-19 molecular testing in accordance with subsection 15(1) or 15(3) of the Order would adversely affect their ability to provide that service.

Accordingly, the following persons are considered exempt from the requirement to undergo COVID-19 molecular testing after entering Canada:

  • Persons who must cross the border regularly Footnote * to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada Footnote *;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing) and are required to provide their services within 14 days of their entry to Canada and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Fully vaccinated persons, including a captain, deckhand, observer, inspector, scientist, veterinarian and any other person supporting commercial or research open water aquaculture-related activities, who enter Canada for the purpose of carrying out aquaculture-related activities, including fishing, transporting fish to and from the aquaculture facility, treating fish for pests or pathogens, repairs, provisioning of aquaculture-related vessels or aquaculture facilities or exchange of crew and who proceed directly to an open water facility or vessel upon entry to Canada;
  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who enter or return from providing such services in another country and are required to provide their services in response to an active emergency in Canada;
  • Fully vaccinated commercial conveyance operators repatriating human remains into Canada;
  • Fully vaccinated officials of the Government of Canada or a foreign government, including border services officers, immigration enforcement officers, law enforcement and correctional officers, who are escorting individuals travelling to Canada or from Canada pursuant to a legal process such as deportation, extradition or international transfer of offenders;
  • Fully vaccinated officials of the Government of Canada, a provincial or a foreign government, including law enforcement, border enforcement, and immigration enforcement officers, who enter Canada for the purposes of law, border or immigration enforcement, or national security activities that support active investigations, ensure continuity of enforcement operations or activities, or transfer information or evidence pursuant to, or in support, of a legal process; and who are required to provide their services within 14 days of entry and have reasonable rationales for the immediacy of the work and the inability to plan for a 14 day quarantine;
  • Fully vaccinated members of a crew for any conveyance who are re-entering Canada after having left to undertake mandatory training relating to the operation of a conveyance, and who are required by their employer to return to work as members of a crew on a conveyance within 14 days of their return to Canada; and
  • Asymptomatic foreign national accompanying an asymptomatic or symptomatic dependent child under 18 years of age who is receiving essential medical services or treatments in Canada under federal, provincial or territorial care, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed on them upon arrival by a quarantine officer; and
  • Asymptomatic Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident, protected person or person with status under the Indian Act accompanying a person residing in Canada who received essential medical services or treatments in a foreign country pursuant to Item 9 in Table 1 of Schedule 3 of the Order, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed by a quarantine officer, and the accompanied person is either:
    • An asymptomatic or symptomatic minor child or dependent child; or
    • An asymptomatic person requiring assistance in accessing the essential medical services or treatments
Prior CPHO Requirement for Non-Fully Vaccinated Operators of Commercial Vehicles Transporting Goods by Land to be Subject to Pre-Arrival Testing, Testing in Canada and Quarantine dated January 20, 2022

To briefly summarize the following requirements: Unvaccinated operators of a commercial vehicle transporting goods by land, but not rail, or entering Canada to do so, are subject to the new CPHO requirement.

If they would usually be exempt from entry requirements only because they are crew, or working in trade and transport, they must now undergo a pre-arrival test, quarantine, and test in Canada, unless their reason for entry concerns transportation of medical equipment, blood products, or body parts required for patient care.

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations (the Quarantine Order) made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, as amended from time to time, having considered the factors in subsection 1.3(3) of the Quarantine Order, and in order to address the immediate risks posed by the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants of concern, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), hereby revises the decision of the same title made January 14th, 2022, and impose the following conditions and requirements:

A/ Application

The conditions in this instrument apply only to persons who:

  1. are not a fully vaccinated person within the meaning of the Quarantine Order; and
  2. enter Canada by land as the operator of a commercial vehicle transporting, or returning from transporting, goods by land, or enter Canada by any means for the purpose of assuming duties to operate such a vehicle within 72 hours of arrival to Canada. This does not include operators of a conveyance that travels only on a railway.

B/ Pre-Arrival Testing

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from pre-arrival testing on the basis of any of:

  • Schedule 1, Table 1, item 2 (a crew member entering by air);
  • Schedule 1, Table 2, item 2 (a crew member entering by land);
  • Schedule 1, Table 2, item 12 (a person in the trade or transportation sector who is important for the movement of goods…including a truck driver…who enters Canada [by land] for the purpose of performing their duties as a member of that sector);
  • Schedule 1, Table 3, item 2 (a crew member entering by water);
  • Schedule 1, Table 3, item 11 (a person in the trade or transportation sector who is important for the movement of goods…including a truck driver… who enters Canada [by water] for the purpose of performing their duties as a member of that sector.

Those enumerated in this section (B), and who are only normally exempt from pre- arrival testing for the preceding reasons, are now required to undergo pre-arrival testing in accordance with Quarantine Order sections 2.1, 2.2, or 2.21, as applicable.

The requirements imposed in (B) do not apply to

  1. persons who enter Canada for the purpose of delivering, installing, maintaining or repairing medically necessary equipment or devices; or
  2. persons who enter Canada for the purpose of donating or making medical deliveries of stem cells, blood and blood products, tissues, organs or other body parts that are required for patient care in Canada.

C/ Testing in Canada

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from testing in Canada based only on Schedule 2, Table 2, item 1 (a crew member) of the Quarantine Order. Such persons are now required to undergo testing in Canada in accordance with subsection 2.3(1) of the Quarantine Order.

D/ Quarantine

The following applies to those in (A) who are normally exempt from quarantine based only on Schedule 2, Table 1, Item 1 (a crew member) of the Quarantine Order. Such persons are now required to quarantine themselves without delay in a suitable place in accordance with subsection 3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order and with the requirements set out in sections 4.1 to 4.4 and section 4.93 of the Quarantine Order.

E/ General Conditions and Requirements

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a Quarantine Officer may release a person identified above from any of these additional conditions or requirements, or vary these conditions or requirements, and if applicable, in accordance with additional guidance the CPHO may provide.

The terms of this decision prevail over those in the Quarantine Order to the extent of any inconsistency.

This decision repeals and replaces the decision of the same title made January 14, 2022.

This decision remains in effect until January 31, 2022, at 23:59:59 EST, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Immediate Requirement to Quarantine for Certain Quarantine Exempt Travellers Entering Canada by Air or Land to Mitigate the Spread of the Omicron Variant dated January 31, 2022

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, as amended from time to time; having considered the factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, and in order to address the immediate risks posed by the emergence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, I, as Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), hereby impose the following conditions and requirements:

For greater certainty, the following conditions and requirements do not apply to persons subject to my January 30, 2022 decision titled Temporary Requirement for on Arrival Testing and Quarantine of all Fully Vaccinated Asylum Claimants entering Canada.

Application

These conditions and requirements apply to the following persons who enter Canada by air or by land, and who:

  1. were in a country other than Canada or the United States within the 14 days prior to entry into Canada;
  2. are normally exempt from quarantine only on the basis of their status as:
    • a fully vaccinated person referred to in s.4.8 of the Quarantine Order; or
    • a person with a contraindication to vaccination referred to in s.4.91 of the Quarantine Order; and
  3. are required to be tested when entering Canada under s.2.3 of the Quarantine Order.

Conditions and Requirements

The above noted travellers must:

  1. Quarantine themselves without delay in a suitable place in accordance with ss.3.1(2) of the Quarantine Order and with the requirements set out in sections 4.1 to 4.4, 4.92(3) and section 4.93 of the Quarantine Order;
  2. Remain in quarantine until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, or until receipt of a negative test result from the on arrival COVID-19 molecular test, whichever comes first;
  3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of quarantine within 48 hours after entering Canada to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;
  4. Should they receive a positive COVID-19 test result for a test conducted upon entry or within the 14 days after entry to Canada, have reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19 or develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19:
    1. Without delay, report the positive test result or signs and symptoms to the Public Health Agency of Canada by any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health;
    2. Isolate themselves in accordance with the requirements set out in Part 5 of the Quarantine Order for a 10-day period that begins on:
      1. in the case of a person who develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the day on which the person developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or
      2. in the case of a person who receives a positive result,
        1. the date when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider and indicated by the test provider to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, or
        2. if there is no date for when the specimen collection was validated by the test provider, the test result date that was indicated by the test provider to the person or to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer.
    3. Report their arrival at, and the civic address of, their place of isolation within 48 hours to the Minister of Health, screening officer or quarantine officer, by way of any means instructed by a screening officer, a quarantine officer or the Minister of Health, unless they are a member of a class of persons who, as determined by the Minister of Health, are unable to report that information by those means for a reason such as a disability, inadequate infrastructure, a service disruption or a natural disaster, in which case the reporting must be done in the form and manner and at the time specified by the Minister of Health.
    4. If upon entry or within the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, someone who travelled with a person subject to these additional requirements and conditions receives a positive COVID-19 test result, or develops signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions must quarantine themselves without delay in accordance with Part 4 of the Quarantine Order, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person subject to these additional requirements and conditions was most recently exposed to the person with whom they travelled, in accordance with any instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer.

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a quarantine officer may release persons identified above from any of these additional conditions or requirements, or vary these conditions or requirements, and if applicable, in accordance with additional guidance I, as CPHO, may provide.

The terms of this decision prevail over those in the Quarantine Order to the extent of any inconsistency.

These conditions come into effect on January 31, 2022 at 23:59:59 EST, and remain in effect until 23:59:59 EST on February 28, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Requirement for On Arrival Testing and quarantine of all Fully Vaccinated Asylum Claimants Entering Canada dated January 31, 2022

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time; and having considered factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, the Chief Public Health Officer imposes the following requirements on fully vaccinated travellers who: arrive in Canada by land; intend to make a claim for refugee protection between land Points of Entry (POEs); and who do not have proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result that was performed on a specimen collected no more than 72 hours before they enter Canada:

  • Undergo a COVID-19 molecular test when entering Canada, in accordance with s. 2.3(1)(a) and Part 2 of the Quarantine Order;
  • Remain in quarantine at a suitable place until receipt of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result, or until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada (whichever is earliest), in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 4 of the Quarantine Order; and
  • If a positive COVID-19 molecular test result is obtained or signs and symptoms of COVID-19 develop, isolate themselves without delay in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 5 of the Quarantine Order.

Pursuant to subsections 2.3 (1.1) and (1.2) of the Quarantine Order, the CPHO also revokes the exemption from on- arrival COVID-19 molecular testing under s.2.3 (1)(a) of the Quarantine Order, and substitution of mandatory random testing, to the extent they would otherwise apply to this cohort pursuant to the CPHO's December 22, 2021 decision entitled "Mandatory Random testing (MRT) Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travellers".

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Quarantine Order and having considered factors in subsection 1.3 (3) of the Quarantine Order, the Chief Public Health officer also imposes the following requirements on unvaccinated children under 12 years of age (unless under the age of 5 years) travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor, who make a claim for refugee protection between land Points of Entry (POEs) and who do not have proof of a negative pre-arrival COVID-19 test result that was performed on a specimen collected no more than 72 hours before they enter Canada:

  • Remain in quarantine at a suitable place until receipt of a negative result for a COVID-19 molecular test required under section 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order, or until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada (whichever is earliest), in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 4 of the Quarantine Order (a child aged less than five years may leave quarantine when their accompanying adult does); and
  • If a positive COVID-19 molecular test result is obtained or signs and symptoms of COVID-19 develop, isolate themselves without delay in accordance with instructions provided by a quarantine officer or screening officer and Part 5 of the Quarantine Order.

This requirement remains in effect until 23:59:59 EDT on March 31, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Requirement for Persons Subject to Mandatory Random Testing (MRT) dated February 28, 2022

Pursuant to subsections 2.3(1.1) and 2.3(1.2) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, the following is a revision to the Chief Public Health Officer's (CPHO) decision dated December 22, 2021 under those subsections, for the following purpose:

  • to revise the scope of those subject to MRT, consequent on the amendment to subsection 2.3(1.1) of the Quarantine Order, effective February 28, 2022, at 00:01:00 EST, providing that the following class of persons cannot be exempted from on arrival testing pursuant to paragraph 2.3(1.1)(c) of the Quarantine Order and therefore cannot be subject to MRT pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.2) of the Quarantine Order:
    • (c) a fully vaccinated person who

      (i) enters Canada by land from the United States at a place other than a land port of entry designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under section 26 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations with the intent to make a claim for refugee protection, and

      (ii) does not provide the evidence referred to in paragraph 2.2(1)(a).

Therefore, pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.1) of the Quarantine Order, the CPHO exempts the following persons from on arrival testing otherwise required under paragraph 2.3(1)(a) when entering Canada, and those so exempted are instead subject to MRT as may be requested under subsection 2.3(1.2):

  • Fully vaccinated persons (within the meaning of the Quarantine Order) entering Canada by air or land, who are:
    • in compliance with the following requirements, as applicable:
      • either subsection 2.1(1) or 2.2(1) of the Quarantine Order (pre-arrival testing); and
      • subparagraphs 4.8(a)(ii) and (iii) of the Quarantine Order (information and evidence of vaccination); and
    • not a person referred to in any of paragraphs 2.3(1.1) (a), (b) or (c) of the Order.

These requirements come into effect on February 28, 2022, at 00:01:00 EST

Prior CPHO Temporary requirement for on arrival testing for unvaccinated children under 12 years of age entering Canada with a fully vaccinated adult dated February 28, 2022

Pursuant to subsection 1.3(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, and having considered the factors in subsection 1.3(3) of the Order.

The Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) imposes the following requirements on unvaccinated children under 12 years of age who are referred to in Schedule 2, Table 2, Item 41 of the Quarantine Order (unless under the age of 5 years), and who enter Canada with one of their fully vaccinated parents, step-parents, guardians or tutors who meets the conditions set out in paragraph 4.8(a) of the Order:

Undergo a COVID-19 molecular test when entering Canada by air or by land, in accordance with the instructions of a quarantine or screening officer, if one of their accompanying parents, step- parents, guardians or tutors is selected for mandatory randomized testing pursuant to my February 27, 2022 decision titled Persons Subject to Mandatory Random Testing (MRT).

Should extraordinary circumstances arise, a quarantine officer may release a person identified above from this additional requirement, or vary this requirement.

This requirement remains in effect until 23:59:59 EDT on April 30, 2022, or until otherwise repealed.

Prior CPHO Exemption from the Prohibition on Entry - Essential Service Providers dated March 25, 2022

Pursuant to subparagraph 4(5)(e)(ii) to the Order made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as amended from time-to-time, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) determined that the following classes of persons are entering Canada to provide an essential service, and that there are compelling public interest reasons to grant them an exemption from the prohibition on entry in s.4 of the Order in order to allow them to provide that essential service in Canada.

The following classes of persons are therefore granted an essential service provider exemption for purposes of s.4(5)(e)(ii) of the Order:

  • Emergency service providers, including firefighters, peace officers, and paramedics, who enter to assist in response to an active emergency in Canada or to continue to assist with an active emergency while entering Canada;
  • Persons entering or returning from the United States who must cross the border regularly to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada;
  • Technicians or specialists specified by a government, manufacturer, or company, who enter Canada as required for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, installing or inspecting equipment necessary to support critical infrastructure (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing); and
  • Asymptomatic foreign nationals accompanying an asymptomatic or symptomatic dependent child under 18 years of age who is receiving essential medical services or treatments in Canada under federal, provincial or territorial care, if the accompanying person complies with any conditions imposed by a quarantine officer and warranted in the circumstances to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Prior CPHO Requirement for Persons Subject to Mandatory Randomized Testing (MRT) dated April 2, 2022

Pursuant to subsections 2.3(1.1) and 2.3(1.2) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) (the Quarantine Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, the following is a revision to the Chief Public Health Officer's decision dated March 31, 2022 under those subsections, for the following purposes:

  • Pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.1) of the Quarantine Order, to revise the scope of those exempt from on arrival testing in Canada under paragraph 2.3(1)(a), to include the following class of persons:
    • persons who are not fully vaccinated persons and are less than 12 years of age who meet the conditions in subparagraphs 4.9(a)(i) and (ii) of the Quarantine Order. In addition, to impose MRT on this class of persons pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.2) of the Quarantine Order.
  • Pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.2) of the Quarantine Order, to exclude the following classes of persons currently subject to MRT from the application of MRT:
    • persons entering Canada by rail; and
    • persons entering Canada by air who arrive on non-scheduled flights or on board flights operated by private operators.

Pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.1) of the Quarantine Order, these classes of persons are to remain exempted from on arrival testing in Canada under paragraph 2.3(1)(a) of the Quarantine Order.

Therefore, pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.1) of the Quarantine Order, the Chief Public Health Officer exempts the following persons who are normally required to undergo on arrival testing under paragraph 2.3(1)(a) when entering Canada from that requirement:

  • Fully vaccinated persons (within the meaning of the Quarnatine Order) entering Canada by air or land, who are:
    • in compliance with subparagraphs 4.8(a)(i) and (ii) of the Quarantine Order (information and evidence of vaccination);
    • not a person referred to in any of paragraphs 2.3(1.1) (a), (b) (c), or (d) of the Quarantine Order; and
  • Persons who are not fully vaccinated persons and are less than 12 years of age who meet the conditions in subparagraphs 4.9(a)(i) and (ii) of the Quarantine Order.

Pursuant to subsection 2.3(1.2) of the Quarantine Order, those so exempted are subject to MRT, except for the following classes of persons:

  • Persons entering Canada by rail; and
  • Persons entering Canada by air who arrive on non-scheduled flights or on board flights operated by private operators.

These requirements come into effect April 2, 2022 at 00:01:00 EDT.

Prior CPHO Requirement for Persons Subject to Mandatory Randomized Testing (MRT) dated June 11, 2022

Pursuant to subsections 15(2) and 15(3) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (the Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, the following is a revision to the Chief Public Health Officer's decision dated April 3, 2022 pursuant to subsections 2.3(1.1) and 2.3(1.2) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations), in order to revise the scope of those to whom MRT is to be applied.

Pursuant to subsection 15(2) of the Order, the Chief Public Health Officer exempts the following persons who are normally required to undergo on arrival testing under paragraph 15(1)(a) when entering Canada from that requirement:

  • Persons who are fully vaccinated within the meaning of the Order entering Canada by air or land, who are:
    • in compliance with subparagraphs 29(a)(i) and (ii) of the Order (information and evidence of vaccination);
    • not a person referred to in any of paragraphs 15(2)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the Order; and
  • Persons who are not fully vaccinated persons and are less than 12 years of age who meet the condition in subparagraph 30(a)(i) of the Order.

Pursuant to subsection 15(3) of the Order, those so exempted are subject to MRT, except for the following classes of persons:

Persons entering Canada by rail or by air.

This decision comes into effect June 11, 2022 at 00:01:00 EDT.

Prior CPHO Requirement for Persons Subject to Mandatory Randomized Testing (MRT) dated June 27, 2022

Pursuant to subsections 15(2) and 15(3) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (the Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, the following is a revision to the Chief Public Health Officer's (CPHO) decision dated June 10, 2022, in order to revise the scope of those exempted from testing in Canada pursuant to subsection 15(2) of the Order and to revise the scope of those to whom MRT is to be applied pursuant to subsection 15(3) of the Order.

A. The scope of those exempted from testing under subsection 15(2) of the Order is revised so as to apply this exemption to the following persons described in paragraphs 15(2)(c) and (d) of the Order (dated May 31, 2022):

  • (c) a fully vaccinated person who
    • enters Canada by land from the United States at a place other than a land port of entry designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under section 26 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations with the intent to make a claim for refugee protection, and
    • does not provide the evidence referred to in paragraph 12(1)(a); and
  • (d) a person who is less than 12 years of age, who is not a fully vaccinated person and who enters Canada with one of their parents, step-parents, guardians or tutors who is a person referred to in paragraph (c).

This revision is made taking into account that paragraphs 15(2)(c) and (d) of the Order, which currently preclude those groups referred to above from exemption under s. 15(2), are repealed effective June 27, 2022 at 23:59:59 EDT. This revision is also made in consideration of the factors listed in subsection 10(3) of the Order.

Therefore, pursuant to subsection 15(2) of the Order, the Chief Public Health Officer exempts the following persons who are normally required to undergo on arrival testing under paragraph 15(1)(a) when entering Canada from that requirement, other than a person referred to in paragraphs 15(2)(a) or (b) of the Order:

  1. Persons who are fully vaccinated within the meaning of the Order entering Canada by air or land, who are in compliance with paragraphs 29(a) and (b) of the Order (information and evidence of vaccination); and
  2. Persons who are not fully vaccinated within the meaning of the Order and are less than 12 years of age who enter Canada with a person referred to in sub-clause A.1, if the person in A.1 is the parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor of the person in sub-clause A.2.

B. Pursuant to subsection 15(3) of the Order, persons exempt from testing in clause A are subject to MRT, except for the following classes of persons:

  • Persons entering Canada by land at a place other than a land port of entry designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under section 26 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, with the intent to make a claim for refugee protection; and
  • Persons entering Canada by rail or by air.

This decision comes into effect June 27, 2022 at 23:59:59 EDT.

Prior CPHO Requirement for Persons Subject to Mandatory Randomized Testing (MRT) dated July 18, 2022

Pursuant to subsections 15(2) and 15(3) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (the Order) made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, and as repealed and replaced from time to time, the following is a revision to the Chief Public Health Officer's (CPHO) decision dated June 27, 2022, in order to revise the scope of those to whom MRT is to be applied pursuant to subsection 15(3) of the Order.

A. The scope of those exempt under subsection 15(2) of the Order remains unchanged. Accordingly:

Pursuant to subsection 15(2) of the Order, the following persons remain exempt from the requirement to undergo testing when entering Canada pursuant to paragraph 15(1)(a) of the Order, other than a person referred to in paragraphs 15(2)(a) or (b) of the Order:

  1. Persons who are fully vaccinated within the meaning of the Order entering Canada by air or land, who are in compliance with paragraphs 29(a) and (b) of the Order (information and evidence of vaccination); and
  2. Persons who are not fully vaccinated within the meaning of the Order and are less than 12 years of age who enter Canada with a person referred to in sub-clause A.1, if the person in A.1 is the parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor of the person in sub-clause A.2.

B. Pursuant to subsection 15(3) of the Order, the following persons exempt from testing in clause A are subject to MRT:

  • Persons entering Canada by land, unless:
    • they enter at a place that is not a land port of entry designated by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under section 26 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations with the intent to make a claim for refugee protection; or
    • they enter Canada by rail.
  • Persons entering Canada by air who:
    • present themselves at the customs office at Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, or Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and are a person described in the Annex to this instrument, which forms a part of this instrument; and
    • do not arrive on a non-scheduled flight or on board a flight operated by a private operator.

This decision comes into effect July 18, 2022 at 23:59:59 PST.

Annex: Methodology for determining MRT sampling frame for travellers arriving by air

This Annex forms a part of the instrument of decision entitled "Persons Subject to Mandatory Randomized Testing (MRT) dated July 18th, 2022".

Subject to the conditions in clause B, travellers entering Canada by air and who present themselves at the customs office at any of Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto Pearson or Montréal-Trudeau International Airports are eligible for MRT selection if their destination address, and specifically their postal code, as entered into ArriveCAN:

  • falls within one of the listed census subdivisions (see list below) and;
  • that listed census subdivision is within the same province as the airport customs office at which they present themselves, with the following exception:
    • Travellers who present themselves at the customs office at Vancouver International Airport and who have a destination address in a listed census subdivision in Ontario are eligible for MRT.
    • Travellers who present themselves at the customs office at Toronto Pearson International Airport and who have a destination address in a listed census subdivision in British Columbia are eligible for MRT.

Traveller MRT eligibility is summarized in the following table:

Traveller destination address is in a listed Census Subdivision for that province
Province Airport customs office at which the traveller presents themselves
Vancouver Calgary Toronto Montreal
B.C. yes no yes no
Alta. no yes no no
ON yes no yes no
QC no no no yes

Census subdivision (CSD) is the general term for municipalities (as determined by provincial/territorial legislation) or areas treated as municipal equivalents for statistical purposes (e.g. Indian reserves, Indian settlements and unorganized territories). Census subdivision for the purpose of this instrument is defined in the Census Dictionary.

Ontario Census Subdivisions-In scope for MRT
  • Adelaide-Metcalfe
  • Ajax
  • Amherstburg
  • Arnprior
  • Aurora
  • Aylmer
  • Bancroft
  • Barrie
  • Beckwith
  • Belleville
  • Bradford West Gwillimbury
  • Brampton
  • Brant
  • Brantford
  • Brockville
  • Burlington
  • Caledon
  • Cambridge
  • Carleton Place
  • Cavan Monaghan
  • Central Elgin
  • Centre Wellington
  • Chatham-Kent
  • Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
  • Clarington
  • Clearview
  • Cobourg
  • Collingwood
  • Conmee
  • Cornwall
  • Curve Lake First Nation 35
  • Douro-Dummer
  • Dryden
  • Dysart et al
  • East Gwillimbury
  • Essa
  • Essex
  • Faraday
  • Fort Erie
  • Fort Frances
  • Fort William 52
  • Frontenac Islands
  • Georgina
  • Gillies
  • Greater Napanee
  • Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury
  • Grimsby
  • Guelph
  • Guelph/Eramosa
  • Haldimand County
  • Halton Hills
  • Hamilton
  • Hanover
  • Hiawatha First Nation
  • Ingersoll
  • Innisfil
  • Kawartha Lakes
  • Kenora
  • King
  • Kingston
  • Kingsville
  • Kitchener
  • Lakeshore
  • LaSalle
  • Leamington
  • Lincoln
  • London
  • Loyalist
  • Markham
  • Markstay-Warren
  • McNab/Braeside
  • Middlesex Centre
  • Milton
  • Minden Hills
  • Mississauga
  • Mississippi Mills
  • Mono
  • Neebing
  • New Tecumseth
  • Newmarket
  • Niagara Falls
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Norfolk County
  • North Bay
  • North Dumfries
  • North Grenville
  • North Perth
  • Oakville
  • O'Connor
  • Oliver Paipoonge
  • Orangeville
  • Orillia
  • Oshawa
  • Otonabee-South Monaghan
  • Ottawa
  • Owen Sound
  • Pelham
  • Pembroke
  • Penetanguishene
  • Perth
  • Petawawa
  • Peterborough
  • Pickering
  • Point Edward
  • Port Colborne
  • Prince Edward County
  • Puslinch
  • Quinte West
  • Richmond Hill
  • Russell
  • Sarnia
  • Sault Ste. Marie
  • Selwyn
  • Shelburne
  • Shuniah
  • Six Nations
  • Smiths Falls
  • South Frontenac
  • Southwold
  • Springwater
  • St. Catharines
  • St. Thomas
  • St.-Charles
  • Stirling-Rawdon
  • Stratford
  • Strathroy-Caradoc
  • Tecumseh
  • Temiskaming Shores
  • Thames Centre
  • Thorold
  • Thunder Bay
  • Tillsonburg
  • Timmins
  • Toronto
  • Tyendinaga
  • Uxbridge
  • Vaughan
  • Wainfleet
  • Wasaga Beach
  • Waterloo
  • Welland
  • Whitby
  • Whitchurch-Stouffville
  • Wilmot
  • Windsor
  • Woodstock
  • Woolwich
Quebec Census Subdivisions-In scope for MRT
  • Ascot Corner
  • Baie-D'Urfé
  • Beaconsfield
  • Beauharnois
  • Beaumont
  • Bécancour
  • Bégin
  • Beloeil
  • Blainville
  • Boisbriand
  • Boischatel
  • Bois-des-Filion
  • Boucherville
  • Bowman
  • Brossard
  • Candiac
  • Cantley
  • Carignan
  • Chambly
  • Champlain
  • Charlemagne
  • Châteauguay
  • Château-Richer
  • Chelsea
  • Compton
  • Coteau-du-Lac
  • Côte-Saint-Luc
  • Delson
  • Denholm
  • Deux-Montagnes
  • Dollard-Des Ormeaux
  • Dorval
  • Drummondville
  • Ferland-et-Boilleau
  • Fossambault-sur-le-Lac
  • Gatineau
  • Gore
  • Granby
  • Hampstead
  • Hudson
  • Kahnawake
  • Kirkland
  • La Pêche
  • La Prairie
  • Lac-Beauport
  • Lac-Delage
  • Lac-Saint-Joseph
  • L'Ancienne-Lorette
  • L'Ange-Gardien
  • Larouche
  • L'Assomption
  • Laval
  • Lavaltrie
  • L'Avenir
  • Lefebvre
  • L'Épiphanie
  • Léry
  • Les Cèdres
  • Les Coteaux
  • Lévis
  • L'Île-Dorval
  • L'Île-Perrot
  • Longueuil
  • Lorraine
  • Magog
  • Mascouche
  • Mayo
  • McMasterville
  • Mercier
  • Mirabel
  • Montréal
  • Montréal-Est
  • Montréal-Ouest
  • Mont-Royal
  • Mont-Saint-Hilaire
  • Mulgrave-et-Derry
  • Neuville
  • North Hatley
  • Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette
  • Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot
  • Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil
  • Oka
  • Orford
  • Otterburn Park
  • Pincourt
  • Pointe-Calumet
  • Pointe-Claire
  • Pointe-des-Cascades
  • Pontiac
  • Québec
  • Repentigny
  • Richelieu
  • Rosemère
  • Saguenay
  • Saint-Amable
  • Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly
  • Saint-Apollinaire
  • Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
  • Saint-Basile-le-Grand
  • Saint-Bonaventure
  • Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
  • Saint-Charles-de-Bourget
  • Saint-Colomban
  • Saint-Constant
  • Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover
  • Saint-David-de-Falardeau
  • Saint-Denis-de-Brompton
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
  • Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
  • Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval
  • Sainte-Catherine
  • Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
  • Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
  • Sainte-Julie
  • Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
  • Sainte-Pétronille
  • Sainte-Rose-du-Nord
  • Sainte-Thérèse
  • Saint-Eustache
  • Saint-Félix-d'Otis
  • Saint-François-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
  • Saint-Fulgence
  • Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
  • Saint-Germain-de-Grantham
  • Saint-Henri
  • Saint-Honoré
  • Saint-Hyacinthe
  • Saint-Isidore
  • Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
  • Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
  • Saint-Jérôme
  • Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
  • Saint-Lambert
  • Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon
  • Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
  • Saint-Lazare
  • Saint-Lin--Laurentides
  • Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes
  • Saint-Lucien
  • Saint-Majorique-de-Grantham
  • Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu
  • Saint-Mathieu
  • Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
  • Saint-Maurice
  • Saint-Philippe
  • Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
  • Saint-Placide
  • Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan
  • Saint-Sulpice
  • Saint-Zotique
  • Senneville
  • Shannon
  • Sherbrooke
  • Stoke
  • Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury
  • Terrasse-Vaudreuil
  • Terrebonne
  • Thurso
  • Trois-Rivières
  • Val-des-Bois
  • Val-des-Monts
  • Val-Joli
  • Varennes
  • Vaudreuil-Dorion
  • Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac
  • Verchères
  • Waterville
  • Wendake
  • Westmount
  • Wickham
  • Wôlinak
  • Yamachiche
Alberta Census Subdivisions-In scope for MRT
  • Calgary
  • Edmonton
British Columbia Census Subdivisions-In scope for MRT
  • Abbotsford
  • Aitchelitch 9
  • Anmore
  • Barnston Island 3
  • Becher Bay 1
  • Belcarra
  • Bowen Island
  • Burnaby
  • Burrard Inlet 3
  • Campbell River
  • Capilano 5
  • Central Okanagan
  • Central Okanagan West
  • Central Saanich
  • Chase
  • Chilliwack
  • Cole Bay 3
  • Columbia-Shuswap F
  • Colwood
  • Comox Valley A
  • Coquitlam
  • Coquitlam 2
  • Courtenay
  • Cowichan Valley A
  • Dawson Creek
  • Delta
  • Duck Lake 7
  • Duncan
  • East Saanich 2
  • Esquimalt
  • Fraser Valley D
  • Fraser Valley E
  • Fraser Valley H
  • Gibsons
  • Harrison Hot Springs
  • Highlands
  • Juan de Fuca (Part 1)
  • Kamloops
  • Kamloops 1
  • Katzie 1
  • Katzie 2
  • Kelowna
  • Kent
  • Kimberley
  • Kwawkwawapilt 6
  • Ladysmith
  • Lake Country
  • Lake Cowichan
  • Langford
  • Langley
  • Langley 2
  • Lantzville
  • Lions Bay
  • Logan Lake
  • Maple Ridge
  • Matsqui 4
  • Matsqui Main 2
  • Metchosin
  • Metro Vancouver A
  • Mission
  • Mission 1
  • Musqueam 2
  • Nanaimo
  • Nanaimo A
  • Nanaimo B
  • Nanaimo C
  • Nanaimo River
  • Nanaimo Town 1
  • Nelson
  • New Songhees 1A
  • New Westminster
  • North Cowichan
  • North Saanich
  • North Vancouver
  • Oak Bay
  • Parksville
  • Peachland
  • Pitt Meadows
  • Port Alberni
  • Port Coquitlam
  • Port Moody
  • Prince George
  • Qualicum Beach
  • Quesnel
  • Richmond
  • Saanich
  • Sechelt
  • Sechelt (Part)
  • Semiahmoo
  • Seymour Creek 2
  • Sidney
  • Skowkale
  • Skway 5
  • Sooke
  • Soowahlie 14
  • South Saanich 1
  • Squiaala
  • Sun Peaks Mountain
  • Sunshine Coast E
  • Sunshine Coast F
  • Surrey
  • Terrace
  • Thompson-Nicola J
  • Thompson-Nicola P
  • Tsawwassen
  • Tsinstikeptum
  • Tsinstikeptum 9
  • T'Sou-ke
  • Tzeachten 13
  • Union Bay 4
  • Upper Sumas 6
  • Vancouver
  • Victoria
  • View Royal
  • West Kelowna
  • West Vancouver
  • Whispering Pines 4
  • Whistler
  • White Rock
Footnote *

NB. This exemption applies to persons who must regularly cross Canadian international borders to go to their normal place of employment.

NB. If direct medical care is needed for persons 65 years of age or older for unvaccinated travelers, an individual request outlining the precautionary public health measures intended for interaction with this older age group must be submitted for consideration by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

Return to footnote * referrer

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.

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