COVID-19: For travellers over 12 without symptoms who are medically exempt from receiving a vaccination

Government of Canada border measures

The Government of Canada has put in place emergency measures under the Quarantine Act to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 and variants in Canada. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to develop and the virus can be transmitted to others. To help keep others safe, you must meet the requirements under the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations).

Unvaccinated asymptomatic travellers 12 years of age and over are not required to quarantine upon entering Canada if they meet the following conditions:

• have a medical contraindication for getting a COVID-19 vaccine and
• comply with the measures outlined below

Public health measures

You must follow the public health measures listed below which set out the requirements under the Order and conditions imposed by the Minister of Health, and monitor your symptoms carefully for the next 14 days for the health and safety of others.

These measures apply only if you do not develop symptoms, are not exposed to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, or diagnosed with COVID-19. Provincial and territorial measures are guided by local epidemiology and circumstances that may require stricter measures. If your local jurisdiction requires additional measures, these must also be followed.

For the next 14 days, you must

Take covid-19 tests

• Take COVID-19 molecular tests as instructed (see separate handout for instructions), unless you have evidence of a positive COVID-19 test taken 14 to 180 days prior to arrival in Canada.
  • Should you develop signs and symptoms or test positive, isolate immediately, call the local public health authority, and follow their instructions.
• Keep a copy of travel-related COVID-19 molecular test results for the next 14 days.
• Keep a copy of written medical evidence from a physician who is licensed to practise medicine confirm the medical condition.
• Upon request, provide the test results to the Government of Canada or government of the province or territory where you are staying or residing, or to the local public health authority.

Limit contact with others

• Stay in an acceptable place that allows you to avoid all contact with persons who have or provide care to persons, who meet the following categories:
  • has an underlying medical condition that makes the person susceptible to complications related to COVID-19
  • has a compromised immune system from a medical condition or treatment
  • is 65 years of age or older
• Enter public settings only in accordance with the instructions below, and wear a well-constructed, well-fitting mask to minimize the risk of introducing or spreading COVID-19.

Report and monitor

• Monitor your health for symptoms.
• Maintain a list of contacts for the full 14-day period.
• For the next 14 days after entry to Canada if the you test positive for COVID-19, you must:
  • report it immediately to the Public Health Agency of Canada by calling 1-833-641-0343
  • follow all local public health requirements, including quarantine or isolation

Warning

Your compliance with this Order is subject to monitoring, verification and enforcement. If you do not comply, you may not be exempted from quarantine. You may also be transferred to a quarantine facility, face fines, tickets, and/or imprisonment.

Symptoms

Should any of the following symptoms appear or you receive a positive result for a COVID-19 molecular test before the expiry of the 14-day period that begins upon entry into Canada, immediately isolate yourself away from others and call your local public health unit for further instructions.

• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches, fatigue, weakness
• Feeling very unwell
• New loss of smell or taste
• Feeling feverish, chills, or temperature equal to or over 38°C
• Skin changes or rashes
• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting

What you cannot do for the next 14 days

• Attend a setting where you may have contact with vulnerable people (e.g., long-term care facility, schools or camps with unvaccinated children), including with people who are immune compromised, regardless of that person’s vaccination status or public health measures in place.
• Attend work onsite unless you are already exempt from quarantine (e.g., healthcare worker). You must have your employer’s approval to attend in person after having disclosed your recent travel history. Masking and physical distancing must be in place at all times while working onsite, regardless of employer’s direction.
• Travel on crowded public transportation that does not ensure physical distancing and masking (e.g., crowded subway).
• Attend large crowded settings, indoors or outdoors, such as a concert, or sporting events.

What you can do for the next 14 days

Outdoor activities

• Visit uncrowded public settings such as parks, beaches or going for a walk while wearing a mask, unless physical distancing can be maintained.
• Gather on your own property with people from multiple households, provided you wear a mask and maintain physical distance.
• Take uncrowded public transportation such as a taxi, or rideshare provided you wear a mask at all times.

Indoor activities

• Gather with a small group of people from outside the household who are all known to be fully vaccinated while wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing.

Public health authorities

Provinces and territories	Telephone number	Website
British Columbia	811	www.bccdc.ca/covid19
Alberta	811	www.myhealth.alberta.ca
Saskatchewan	811	www.saskhealthauthority.ca
Manitoba	1-866-626-4862	https://manitoba.ca/covid19/
Ontario	1-866-797-0000	www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
Quebec	1-877-644-4545	www.quebec.ca/en/coronavirus
New Brunswick	811	www.gnb.ca/publichealth
Nova Scotia	811	www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Prince Edward Island	811	www.princeedwardisland.ca/covid19
Newfoundland and Labrador	811 or 1-888-709-2929	www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19
Nunavut	1-867-975-5772	www.gov.nu.ca/health
Northwest Territories	811	www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19
Yukon	811	www.yukon.ca/covid-19

For more information

• canada.ca/coronavirus
• 1-833-784-4397