Travel & Transportation

Hello BC Resources

With business re-openings underway, many British Columbians are looking to plan their trips around the province this summer and fall and are seeking information on how to explore their own communities safely right now. Destination BC has overhauled the Know Before You Go page on HelloBC.com to help answer these questions, with information on borders, camping, and more.

Our 10 Ways to Travel Safely and Responsibly in BC is another great resource to encourage travellers to take more time with planning, and be more conscious of the impact on communities—especially the smaller ones—for BC-wide travel when the time is right.

Restrictions

For full travel restrictions and precautions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit:

The Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice page.

The Government of BC’s Travel Affected by COVID-19 page.

Advisories

The Government of Canada continues to advise all Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside Canada. This official global travel advisory includes non-essential travel across the land border into the US, and aboard ships or other vessels.

To protect Canadians from further spread of COVID-19, the Prime Minister announced travel restrictions that limit who can travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Canadian travelers are advised to sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or at home.

Travel Requirements

Anyone who must travel outside Canada, or who is returning to Canada, must self-isolate for 14 days on their return, even if they do not present any symptoms.

Travellers arriving back in British Columbia must submit a BC self-isolation plan and complete the federal ArriveCAN application for approval prior to their return to BC, or upon arrival. Travellers who do not have an appropriate place to isolate or quarantine themselves must go to a place designated by the Provincial Health Officer. Learn more on the provincial government’s Self-Isolation on Return to BC page.

Always ensure that you are following the precautions against respiratory illnesses.

By air

As of June 12, 2020, temperature screening will be required for travellers at Canadian airports. This is an additional measure to protocols already in place, requiring air travellers to undergo a health check prior to boarding. If the air operator observes that a traveller has COVID-19 symptoms, they will be refused to travel by air for a period of 14 days or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms the symptoms are not related to COVID-19. Air passengers must have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel.

At Vancouver International Airport (YVR)—one of the only four airports in Canada that is accepting international flights—a number of current directives are in effect to protect the safety and security of passengers, partners, employees, and all airport visitors.

By land 

All Canada-US border crossings are restricted to essential travel only until at least September 21, 2020, at which point it will be reviewed by the Canadian and American governments. “Non-essential” includes travel considered tourism or recreational in nature.

As with air travel, additional screening measures are in effect at all land borders. On arrival, travellers should expect to undergo a screening by a border services officer or quarantine officer to assess symptoms. Learn more on the upon arrival in Canada page.

Transportation

Transport Canada is working to ensure the health and safety of Canadians, as well as the continuation and security of Canada’s transportation network during the COVID-19 situation so that goods — including food, medicine, medical equipment, and other necessities — continue to reach us.

For updates on transportation related measures taken by Transport Canada in response to the virus, visit COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada page, where you will find information on the following sectors: Aviation, Rail, Road, and Marine. Recent cruise- and ferry-related tourism updates include:

• Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. All other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.
• New measures for ferries and commercial passenger vessels capable of carrying more than 12 passengers.
• For updates from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), visit CLIA’s Press Room.
• BC Ferries has issued an advisory to avoid non-essential travel until further notice and requires all passengers over the age of two to carry a face covering that covers their mouth and nose and wear it when physical distancing cannot be maintained.