Travel & Transportation

Hello BC Resources

As many British Columbians continue to plan their trips around the province this fall and winter, they are seeking information on how to explore BC safely. Destination BC continues to update 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.

Restrictions

NEW! By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, individuals and businesses in BC must significantly reduce social interactions and travel from November 19 at midnight. The order came into effect November 19, 2020 at midnight and will be kept in place until further notice based on direction from the PHO. Additional measures are in place until April 19, 2021. If you have questions about the PHO order issued on November 19, please contact the BC Ministry of Health or visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

For full travel restrictions and precautions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/regionalrestrictions

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.

Response measures include:

• Restrictive measures relating to cruise ships and pleasure craft have been extended until February 28, 2021. Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue following federal guidance and provincial, territorial, local and regional protocols.
• All Canada-US border crossings are restricted to essential travel only until at least November 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.
• Restrictions in place that limit who can travel to Canada.

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 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.

On November 2, the Government of Canada announced new mandatory requirements for travellers to Canada. This includes requirements to provide a quarantine plan and contact and travel information.

On January 7, 2021, the Government of Canada announced a new mandatory requirements for travellers to Canada, including 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 carry a face covering that covers their mouth and nose and wear it when physical distancing cannot be maintained.