Travel & Transportation

Hello BC Resources

As many British Columbians seek information on how to support their local businesses, Destination BC continues to update the Know Before You Go page on HelloBC.com to help answer these questions, with information on Orders, restrictions, and more.

Restrictions

On July 1, the Province moved to Step 3 of its Restart Plan, allowing Canada-wide recreational travel. While moving to Step 3 will signal the end to the provincial state of emergency, BC’s public health emergency remains in effect to support amended public health orders from BC’s provincial health officer, with reduced requirements. Visit the Government of BC’s Restart page for more information, including guidelines and advice, at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart

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

The Government of BC’s Regional Restrictions and Travel Affected by COVID-19 pages.

The Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice 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. There are also travel restrictions that limit who can travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they are immunized, have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Canadian travellers 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/Information

On March 25, the Government of Canada announced an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that requires any person entering Canada by air, sea or land to self-quarantine for 14 days whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19. Travellers entering Canada must continue to follow the rules set out by the Emergency Orders under the Quarantine Act.

Current mandatory requirements for travellers to Canada include providing a quarantine plan and contact and travel information. Mandatory requirements for ir travellers to Canada, include COVID-19 pre-departure testing which must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada.

Unless exempt, all travellers to BC or Canada are required by law to self-quarantine for 14 days and complete the federal ArriveCAN application (introduced in April 2020) prior to their return or upon arrival.

In addition to the federal ArriveCAN Application, travellers arriving in BC are encouraged to complete a BC self-quarantine plan. Travellers who do not have an appropriate place to self-quarantine must go to a place designated by the Provincial Health Officer. Learn more on the provincial government’s Self-quarantine on return to BC page.

Travellers can find updated information on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19: Travel, quarantine and borders page.

Transport Canada

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, where you will find information on what you need to know before travelling by air, water, road, rail, or public transit—including current directives in effect at Canadian airports.

For updates from BC Ferries, read the latest travel advisories, including the requirement that all passengers over the age of two wear a face covering that covers their mouth and nose.