Avoiding non-essential travel is in effect again

On December 15, 2021, the Level 3 global travel advisory – avoid non-essential travel – was reinstated again by the Canadian government. Although the Government of Canada is advising travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada, people are still travelling.

The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travelling

The Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is a reliable way to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination history when travelling internationally and within Canada. It is now available in all provinces and territories.

How to get the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination

To get the Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination for travel by plane, train or cruise ship you have to:

• visit Health Ontario website
• enter your health card number
• download your enhanced vaccine certificate

Once you get your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination, you can access it

• as a file on a mobile device, computer or mobile wallet (if your device supports the Smart Health Card format)
• on paper, by printing the PDF file with the QR code

A molecular pre-entry test

Effective December 21, 2021, all Canadians returning from short trips must take a molecular pre-entry test. The test must be taken outside of Canada.

Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada

All travellers, with limited exceptions, whether entering Canada by air, land, rail or marine vessel, must use ArriveCAN. You must use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information before and after your entry into Canada. It is available for iOS, Android and online. The mobile app is free and is available in English, French and Spanish (displayed in the language of your device).

Be cautious of third party, fraudulent webpages and apps that may be posing as ArriveCAN and asking you for payment. If you encounter a suspicious webpage or app that appears to be posing as ArriveCAN, please file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre immediately. ArriveCAN is free and secure and is the official Government of Canada platform to provide your information when entering Canada.

You have to submit:

• Contact information and travel details
• Vaccination information and pre-entry test results
• Quarantine plan

If you have medical emergencies travel insurance

Since the Level 3 “avoid non-essential travel” advisory has been reinstated, you may or may not be covered for COVID-19 related medical emergencies and it depends on the date you left or going to leave Canada as described below:

If medical emergencies travel insurance was purchased while the avoiding non-essential travel advisory was not in effect

• If insurance was purchased while the Level 3 advisory was not in effect, you may not have chosen to pay the extra premium to add coverage for medical emergencies relating to COVID-19 since the regular insurance covered COVID-19 like any other medical emergency when the advisory was not in effect.
• If you left Canada prior to December 17, 2021, you DO NOT need to add the additional COVID-19 coverage if you did not already do so. Your policy will include coverage for medical emergencies relating to COVID-19 if they happen during the coverage period. No additional coverage is required.

You need to add coverage for medical emergencies relating to COVID-19 if:

• You left or will leave Canada on or after December 17, 2021, and you did NOT pay the extra premium to add coverage for medical emergencies relating to COVID-19, you MUST contact your insurance company or insurance broker if you want to add this coverage. An extra premium will apply.
• If you do not contact your insurance company or insurance broker to add the additional coverage, you will NOT be insured for medical emergencies that relate to COVID-19.

Last but not least, if you travel outside Canada, don’t forget to check your destination’s COVID-19 requirements.

Sources:

• Travel Canada
• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-covid-19-proof-vaccination.html
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/12/government-of-canada-announces-additional-measures-to-contain-the-spread-of-the-omicron-variant.html