COVID-19: Requirements for fully vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age
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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Published: 2021-11-30
Short trips 72 hours or less by land and air
Starting November 30, 2021, 12:01 AM EST, Canadians or individuals who have right of entry, qualify as fully vaccinated travellers and who re-enter Canada within 72 hours of leaving, won't have to provide a pre-entry molecular test result. This will also apply to their accompanying children under 12, regardless of whether or not the children are vaccinated.
- Individuals with right of entry include: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act, and their accompanying children under 12. Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated
- For example, a Canadian citizen who left Canada on November 29, 2021 and returned on November 30, 2021 and who met the requirements of the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, would not have to provide a pre-entry test result.
Warning: Read this handout carefully. It contains instructions from a quarantine officer, screening officer and the Minister of Health that you are required to meet under the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation, and other Obligations). They are legally binding under the order.
Your compliance with this Order is subject to monitoring, verification and enforcement. If you do not comply, you may be transferred to a quarantine facility, face fines, and/or imprisonment.
Keep this handout for reference for the next 14 days.
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.
Fully vaccinated travellers without signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are not required to quarantine upon entering Canada if they comply with the requirements in this handout.
Unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age who enter Canada with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor, are not required to quarantine if the child follows all the requirements for fully vaccinated travellers and complies with the conditions of the Minister of Health in this handout. If the fully vaccinated parent/guardian/tutor develops signs or symptoms, or receives a positive result, the parent/guardian/tutor and the child must quarantine per 4.9(3).
Fully vaccinated travellers: If you have been selected for mandatory random testing
You must take a COVID-19 molecular test as directed on the day you arrive in Canada. You may be tested on site or receive a self-swab kit. You must follow the directions you receive upon arrival to complete your arrival test. If you receive a self-swab kit, you must complete and submit your specimen collection for processing within 24 hours of entering Canada.
If you receive a positive test result, additional instructions are provided below.
Requirements for an unvaccinated child less than 12 years of age
For 14 days after arrival, the child must not:
- attend school, camp or day care
- attend a setting where they may have contact with vulnerable people (e.g., long-term care facility), including people who are immunocompromised, regardless of that person's vaccination status or public health measures
- travel on crowded public transportation that does not ensure physical distancing and masking
- attend large crowded settings, indoors or outdoors, such as an amusement park or sporting event
Further information on what your child can and cannot do can be found on the mandatory quarantine or isolation page.
Take COVID-19 tests
The child must take COVID-19 molecular tests as instructed (see separate handout for information), unless you have evidence that the child had a positive COVID-19 test taken 14 to 180 days prior to arrival in Canada or the child is under 5 years of age.
Limit the child's contact with others
- Stay in a place that allows the child to avoid all contact with any person that:
- 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
- The child must remain with their fully vaccinated parent or guardian as much as possible.
- The child must wear a mask and physically distance when in contact with non-household members.
Requirements for fully vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age
For 14 days following entry into Canada, you and any unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who travelled with you must:
- maintain a list of the names and contact information of each person with whom you came into close contact and a list of locations visited
- wear a well-constructed, well-fitting mask in public settings
- keep a copy of the following and provide them on request to the Government of Canada or government of the province or territory where you are located, or to the local public health authority:
- all COVID-19 pre-arrival test results
- all on-arrival COVID-19 test results, including results from random testing and results for children under 12 and
- proof of vaccine
- monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
- if you start showing signs and symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, you must immediately:
- report within 24 hours to the Public Health Agency of Canada by calling 1-833-641-0343 (the official will provide you with additional details and instructions)
- if you start showing signs and symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, you must immediately:
- isolate for an additional 10 days
- contact the appropriate public health authority, as specified below, and follow their instructions
If you receive an indeterminate or invalid test result, you are required to take another test. Please contact your testing provider within 24 hours of receiving your test result to make arrangements to complete another self-swab kit.
Understand the common signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Public health authorities
| Province or territory | Phone number |
|---|---|
| British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories and Yukon | 811 |
| Manitoba | 1-866-626-4862 |
| Ontario | 1-866-797-0000 |
| Quebec | 1-877-644-4545 |
| Nunavut | 1-867-975-5772 |
Links to provincial and territorial COVID-19 information and resources can be found at:
For more information
Website: Canada.ca/coronavirus
Phone: 1-833-784-4397
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