Q. What are all the steps you will need to take prior to entering Canada?
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You must have received the full series of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, Johnson & Johnson)
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You must have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada.
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You must upload information into the ArriveCAN app (this app is free and secure)
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All information must be inputted into the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours prior to arrival in Canada.
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The app will ask you to input contact information for you and the people you are travelling with, purpose of trip, date of arrival, port of entry, proof of vaccination, and your quarantine plan.
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For the quarantine plan, input the location where you will be staying while in Canada (i.e. the lodge).
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You must have a negative COVID-19 molecular* test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival (view accepted tests). Antigen tests are not accepted*.
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Must be asymptomatic upon arrival
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Upon arrival, the border officer will ask you for your ArriveCAN receipt, proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results and other typical documentation. You can view all the details that the Canadian Government expects from fully-vaccinated travellers here.
Q. Will I require a negative COVID-19 test taken 72hr prior to entering Canada?
Yes, you will be required to take a PCR (molecular) test (with a negative result) taken within 72hrs of crossing the border.
Q. What are the requirements for children under the age of 12?
Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 travelling with fully vaccinated parents must meet all other required criteria to enter Canada, including submitting information electronically through ArriveCAN and all testing requirements (which includes the pre-arrival test).
Q. Do unvaccinated children between the ages of 12 and 18 need to quarantine?
From what has been released to date it appears that non-vaccinated individuals between the age of 12 and 18 will need to quarantine for 14 days.
Q. Will non-vaccinated or half-vaccinated Americans be permitted to enter Canada if they are able and willing to quarantine?
Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for U.S. travellers who are not fully vaccinated and for all other foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the Orders made under the Quarantine Act.
Q. Is there a fee attached to the ArriveCAN app?
ArriveCAN is a free and secure app. If you are asked for payment information it is a SCAM. Click here for more information on the ArriveCAN app.
Q. What constitutes as a proper quarantine plan?
The quarantine plan is mandatory for anyone entering Canada, regardless if you are fully vaccinated. Your quarantine location will be Sabaskong Bay Lodge. If you are randomly selected for a test and test positive you can choose to do your quarantine here in Canada OR you can leave to go home.
Q. Are there any testing or quarantine requirements for Americans returning to the USA?
There are no testing or quarantine requirements for Americans returning to the US by land border crossing. There are testing requirements for Americans returning to the US via air.
Q. What types of COVID-19 pre-arrival tests will be accepted by CBSA?
These tests are considered acceptable molecular tests - antigen tests are not accepted*:
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PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
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RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
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Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
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Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
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Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
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Isothermal amplification
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Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
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Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
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RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
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Ct (cycle threshold)
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CRISPR
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Sequencing
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Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
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Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
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Detection of the N gene
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Detection of Orf1a/b
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Detection of the S gene
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Detection of the E gene
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Detection of the RdRp gene
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample. At this time, proof of having a vaccine will not replace a negative test result.
Q. If you’ve had COVID-19 and have recovered would that count as proof of immunity/vaccination?
No, you must be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination in order to enter Canada. Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for U.S. travellers who are not fully vaccinated and for all other foreign nationals, unless they already meet an exemption set out in the Orders made under the Quarantine Act.