Following the discovery of the Omicron strain, Canada imposed a series of new travel restrictions.

Last Monday, travelers from ten African countries were subjected to new restrictions. Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are among the countries affected. Foreign nationals who have recently visited any of these countries are not permitted to enter Canada.

The new rules apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who travel to or from these countries. In order to return home, they must take a COVID-19 test in a third nation. There is presently a temporary mechanism in place that allows Canadians to get tested in South Africa, which is one of the nations with immigration restrictions.

The order in council preventing particular countries from entering Canada is in effect until January 31, 2022, at the earliest. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents of these nations are allowed to enter, although they must still adhere to strict health regulations.

In addition, with the exception of the United States, Canada restored on-arrival testing and quarantine for all travelers. Travelers who have been fully vaccinated must take a test upon arrival and remain quarantined at home until the results are received.

We’d like to make it as simple as possible for you to review the new rules before making travel plans to Canada. The minister of transportation provides several flow charts that show the revised procedures for inbound travelers.

Incoming travelers can use an online tool on the Canadian government’s website to see if they are allowed to enter the country. This online tool does not guarantee that you will be admitted. The final decision on whether or not you can go to Canada will be made by the border officer.

Regardless of whether you’ve been vaccinated, you’ll need a 14-day quarantine plan in case the officer decides you need to self-isolate.

All passengers aged five and up must show documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure or arrival at a land border crossing. It must be between 14 and 180 days old if you have a positive test result.

To be considered completely vaccinated, you must have received the full recommended dose of one or more of the following vaccines:

• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
• Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, COVISHIELD, ChAdOx1-S, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)

Travelers must use the ArriveCAN app or website to upload their documentation.

Travelers who have been vaccinated in the nations will need to be tested when they arrive. Those who test positive at the airport will have to quarantine themselves at home or in a facility. They can quarantine at home or at an approved quarantine center if they test negative. They must then produce a test on day eight. They can end their quarantine at day 14 if the test is negative. If it’s positive, they’ll have to stay in isolation for another ten days.

The same regulations will apply to unvaccinated travelers arriving from the blacklisted nations.

Vaccinated visitors from other countries, excluding the United States

Travelers from nations other than the United States and the ten African countries banned from entering the country will be required to take an arrival exam. They will be quarantined at home until their results are received. They can be released from quarantine if their test is negative. They must isolate for 10 days if the test is positive.

Unvaccinated visitors who are permitted to enter Canada will face the same restrictions as those from blacklisted nations. On arrival, they must take a test and be quarantined for 14 days. Even if their on-arrival test is negative, they must still complete the rest of the quarantine and submit a test on day 8. If their day 8 test is negative, their quarantine will expire on day 14. If it’s positive, they’ll have to isolate for another ten days.