Are you planning a trip soon and having a hard time navigating the (not always clear) government guidelines? Do not panic. Here’s a guide on what to do before, during and after your stay.
• Read also: PCR tests on departure and arrival, quarantine mandatory: here is what awaits you on your return home
• Read also: More contagious and resistant to vaccines? What you need to know about Omicron, the new variant detected in South Africa
Before leaving
Know, first and foremost, that you have to be fully vaccinated to board a planewhether it is a domestic or international flight, departing from a Canadian airport. You also need to have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to get on a train.
If your choice of destination has still not been made, choose it based on epidemiological data, advises Benoit Barbeau, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at UQAM. Avoid countries where there is a large presence of the Omicron variant and where the trend in the number of cases of infection is increasing sharply.
The Government of Canada site also contains a list indicating the security measures to be adopted for each country, depending on the epidemiological situation.
Monitor guidelines regularly
Once the plane ticket has been booked, Anthony Cirino, president of the Universal Travel Club agency, strongly advises regularly review government travel guidelines, both from the country of destination and from Canada. As the departure approaches, he suggests consulting them every day “since things change almost daily”.
“Don’t assume that the guidelines you read when planning your trip will be the same on the day you leave,” says Anthony Cirino. For vacations in the South, wholesalers often offer low cost coverage that allows you to postpone or cancel the trip if the requirements don’t suit you. ”
• Read also: Why does Dr. Arruda advise against celebrating with the unvaccinated?
This is why the travel agent offers destinations where the measurements have been less since the start of the pandemic and to which there are direct flights. He gives for example Mexico, Cuba or the Dominican Republic, places very popular with Quebecers in winter.
And if it’s not a direct flight, watch out for stopovers: You may have to comply with special requirements at some airports, even if you are only passing through for a short period of time.
Examples of requirements in popular destinations
Here are some of the guidelines in place at some of the popular destinations, in effect at the time of this writing.
France
Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, must present a negative PCR or antigen test result performed less than 48 hours before the flight. They could also be tested for antigen upon arrival.
UK
Fully vaccinated travelers must take a test 48 hours before arriving in England, make an appointment and pay for a PCR test on arrival and complete a form that includes, among other things, travel documents, addresses where the traveler will stay and the vaccination status.
Travelers who are not immune must, in addition, undergo a screening test on the eighth day after arrival and place themselves in a 10-day quarantine (regardless of the result of the screening test).
Mexico
The country does not require a negative PCR test result or quarantine on arrival.
Costa Rica
Fully immunized travelers can enter the country without a travel policy. Unvaccinated people should, however, purchase at least five days of travel insurance covering at least quarantine accommodation and medical costs for COVID-19.
During the trip
Arrived at destination, take the same precautions as if you were here, even if the sanitary rules are more flexible, advises Benoit Barbeau.
He recommends favoring higher quality masks over level 1 procedural masks, such as the N95s, for example. “They certainly make sure to protect others, but also to protect themselves,” explains the professor.
• Read also: 60 years and over, healthcare workers: here is who will be able to receive a 3rd dose in Quebec
Most importantly, wear them to all the places you visit that are busy. Avoid indoor tourist spots as much as possible.
You will thus put all the chances on your side of having a negative PCR test for a sneak return to Canada.
To do this, make sure you have a list of clinics performing PCR tests approved by Health Canada. Also plan a budget for the test to be done less than 72 hours before your return, including theThe cost can be up to US $ 150 per person.
• Read also: Rise in COVID-19 cases, a worrying new variant: what to expect this winter?
Upon return
This is where things can get tricky.
Travelers leaving the country for more than 72 hours must imperatively present a 72 hour negative PCR test result before the scheduled flight time to be able to board the plane.
• Read also: Delta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma: Here’s where the worrisome variants stand around the world
Then, before your arrival at the airport, fill out the application form ComingCan. You will enter your proof of vaccination, a quarantine plan (if necessary), as well as travel information.
AFP
This step is compulsory for all travelers, even those who are gone for less than 72 hours, regardless of the mode of transport.
In “administrative quarantine” for having omitted ArriveCan
Sabrina, who wants to keep her identity secret, has learned this the hard way. After spending about 30 hours in Burlington, Vermont, she and her partner were asked by the Canadian customs officer to present their ArriveCan application. She had never heard of it before.
• Read also: What risks? What precautions? Here’s how to manage holiday parties with unvaccinated people
“I have a master’s degree in political science, I know how to research and find information. But that was really not clear on the government website, ”she said.
Despite the fact that they both had their official vaccination proof for travel, they had to be placed in “administrative quarantine” on their return, as they were considered to be unvaccinated. Sabrina and her partner also had to be tested at home.
And even if their results are negative and they show no symptoms, there is no question of leaving their home before the 14th.e day.
Random tests on arrival
Moreover, for the past few days, fully vaccinated travelers have been randomly selected to be tested at the airport or at home upon their arrival on Canadian soil. The government has announced that 100% of vaccinated travelers will have to undergo these tests in the coming weeks.
AFP
Selected travelers who need to be tested at home are also required to self-isolate until they receive a negative result, which can take up to three days.