International travelers must wear a mask for 14 days after returning home to Canada

With the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, rules surrounding international travel in Canada have not been exempt from the constant shifts.

Despite mask mandates being dropped for indoor settings in most provinces, the federal government still requires that you wear a mask after returning from international travel.

New rules around travel were put into effect on April 1 that loosened restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers, making it easier to hop on a plane.

While fully vaccinated travellers do not have to present a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive back in Canada, there are still some rules they must follow.

Every traveller must still complete their ArriveCan form within 72 hours, which details a quarantine plan and allows them to upload their proof of vaccination.

Here are the rules you must follow once you leave the airport:

• Wear a mask at all times when in public spaces
• Maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada
• Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19

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The rules are also different if you happen to be pulled to take a randomized PCR test at the airport, even if you are fully vaccinated. You are not required to quarantine while waiting for your test results, but you do have to follow these rules if the result is negative:

• Follow local public health measures
• Wear a well-fitted mask when in public spaces for the first 14 days after your entry
• Maintain a list of all close contacts and locations you visit for your first 14 days in Canada
• Monitor yourself for signs and symptoms
• Keep copies of your proof of vaccination and pre-arrival tests for 14 days

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If you test positive for COVID-19, you must isolate yourself for ten days, regardless of your province’s current isolation requirements. For example, in Ontario, you are only required to isolate for five days, but in this case, you would have to isolate for ten.

You must also report your test results and/or symptoms to PHAC.

If someone you travelled with tests positive for COVID-19, you are required to isolate for 14 days starting from your last exposure to the person and monitor for symptoms.

Those who present a positive COVID-19 test result taken at least 10 calender days prior and within the last 90 days will be exempt from randomized PCR testing.

As always, if you are travelling to an international destination, be sure to check their COVID-19 entry requirements before your trip to ensure you can travel there.