For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada by land

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: 2021-02-22

Related links

• For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada by land
• For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada by air
• For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada by air

The Government of Canada has put in place emergency measures to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 and variants in Canada. You must quarantine for 14 days, provide a suitable quarantine plan, and monitor yourself for signs and symptoms as required by the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations).

You must

• quarantine yourself without delay at a suitable place of quarantine for 14 days in accordance with the instructions provided by a screening officer or quarantine officer starting on the day you arrive
• respond to calls and visits from screening officers or peace officers
• report your arrival to your place of quarantine within 48 hours after arriving through the ArriveCAN app, online at Canada.ca/ArriveCAN or call 1-833-641-0343:
  • you must also report your daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment until the end of your quarantine or your first reporting of symptoms
• you are required to undergo two COVID-19 molecular tests in Canada. This requirement does not apply if you have evidence of a positive COVID-19 molecular test that was obtained 14 to 90 days prior to your arrival in Canada
  • obtain two COVID-19 specimen collection kits from the screening officer
  • take the first COVID-19 molecular test on the day you arrive in Canada, using the kit. You may take the first test at your place of quarantine or at the testing site near certain Points of Entry, where in-person support is available
• remain in quarantine. Your quarantine will end after the 14th day only if you get a negative test result from your Day 10 test.
  • if you need to take public transportation (e.g. aircraft, bus, train, subway, taxi or ride-sharing service) to your place of quarantine, follow public health measures
• keep a copy of all your COVID-19 molecular test results. You may be asked to provide this proof to a Government of Canada or Provincial/Territorial Government official or to the local public health authority during your quarantine period

Public health measures to follow while in transit

• wear a well constructed, well fitting, non-medical mask while in transit, unless you are alone in a private vehicle
• practice physical distancing of 2m when possible such as sitting in the back away from the driver
• sanitize your hands when entering/exiting the vehicle
• avoid contact with surfaces frequently touched by passengers or other drivers
• remain in the vehicle as much as possible: pay at the pump for gas and use drive through when you need food
• avoid stops and contact with others while in transit
• avoid using the recirculated air option for the car's ventilation during passenger transport; use the car's vents to bring in fresh outside air and/or open the vehicle windows

Referrals to designated quarantine facilities

You must follow the directions of a Quarantine Officer and may be directed to a quarantine facility or other suitable place if:

• you do not take a test when required
• you do not have a suitable quarantine plan
• you show signs and symptoms of COVID-19
• you are exposed to someone who shows signs and symptoms for COVID-19

You must have a suitable place of quarantine where you:

• can stay for 14 days or possibly longer
• will not have contact with people who:
  • are 65 years or older
  • have underlying medical conditions
  • have compromised immune systems
  • work or assist in a facility, home or workplace that includes at-risk populations, including:
    • nurses, doctors, other healthcare professionals, personal support workers, social workers
    • first responders, such as paramedics
    • cleaning and maintenance staff, receptionists and administrative staff, food services staff, volunteers, essential visitors to those living in long-term care facilities
• can avoid contact with others who did not travel with you
• can have a separate bedroom from those who did not travel with you
• have access to the necessities of life, including water, food, medication and heat without leaving quarantine
• will not stay in group living environment. Some examples include:
  • a shelter, group home, group residence, hostels, industrial camps, construction trailers or other group setting
  • a student residence (unless you've received prior authorization)
  • a small apartment you share with others
  • a shared household with a large family or families or many people
  • shared living spaces with housemates who haven't travelled with you that you cannot avoid interacting with

While in quarantine

• respond to calls or visits from screening officers or peace officers
• do not leave your place of quarantine unless it is for a medical emergency, an essential medical service or treatment, or to obtain a COVID-19 molecular test, or it is pre-authorized by a Quarantine Officer
• use only private outdoor spaces (i.e. balcony)
• undergo any health assessments that the Quarantine Officer requires
• do not have any guests
• do not use shared spaces such as lobbies, courtyards, restaurants, gyms or pools

You must monitor your health for 14 days

The following symptoms are associated with COVID-19:

• new or worsening cough
• shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• feeling feverish, chills, or temperature equal to or over 38°C
• Skin changes or rashes (in children)
• muscle or body aches, fatigue, weakness, or feeling very unwell
• new loss of smell or taste
• headache
• gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting

If you start having symptoms of COVID-19, or you receive a positive COVID-19 molecular test, you must:

• isolate yourself from others immediately for a period of 14 days that begins from the time you have developed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19
• follow the COVID-19 instructions of the local public health authority (see below)

The 14-day period starts again if during your quarantine period you:

• develop symptoms (e.g. a fever and cough or fever and difficulty breathing)
• test positive for COVID-19 or if you are exposed to another person who exhibits signs and symptoms or test positive for COVID-19

Your compliance with these requirements is subject to verification and enforcement.

You will be called from 1-888-336-7735 and will be visited by a screening officer or law enforcement to verify your compliance during your 14-day quarantine. You will receive calls with prerecorded messages and email reminders of your obligations.

Those in violation may be transferred to a quarantine facility, face fines, tickets, and/or imprisonment.

• Note that you may also be contacted by provincial or territorial authorities throughout the 14-day period.
• If federal and provincial or territorial guidelines differ, you should follow the strictest requirements.

Public health authorities

For more details on how your personal information is collected, used and disclosed by the Public Health Agency of Canada to administer and enforce the Quarantine Act and the Emergency Orders made under it, please visit this website: ArriveCAN Privacy Notice.