MULTIMODAL
March 28, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced new domestic transportation measures for air and rail modes.
- Air:
- requirement for air operators to conduct a health check of travellers before they board a flight within Canada or departing from Canada;
- requirement for air operators to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms; and
- requirement for air operators to notify travellers that they may be subject to provincial or territorial measures at their final destination.
- Rail:
- requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to do a health check to screen passengers for COVID-19 symptoms before they board a train; and
- requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms.
- The new measures support provincial, territorial and local efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading from travelling within Canada.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-announces-new-domestic-transportation-measures.html
April 17, 2020:
- Government of Canada introduced new measures for non-medical masks or face coverings in the Canadian transportation system.
- Measures require that all air passengers have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel.
- When travelling by marine modes of transportation, travellers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings whenever possible.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/04/new-measures-introduced-for-non-medical-masks-or-face-coverings-in-the-canadian-transportation-system.html
June 3, 2020:
- Minister Garneau announced new measures for the use of face coverings in the Canadian transportation sector.
- Minister Garneau announced he is expanding the requirements for the use of face coverings by workers and others involved in the transportation system, to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/06/minister-garneau-announces-new-measures-for-the-use-of-face-coverings-in-the-canadian-transportation-sector.html
AIR
June 12, 2020:
- Announcement of temperature screening to be required for travellers at Canadian airports.
- The Government of Canada will now require temperature screenings for all passengers travelling to Canada or travellers departing Canadian airports for either international or domestic destinations.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/06/temperature-screening-to-be-required-for-travellers-at-canadian-airports.html
August 6, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced new measures to support essential air access to remote communities.
- These include:
- Seeking bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to ensure continuity of service for at least six months.
- Establishing a $75-million funding program for the federal contribution for the first six months and maintaining these essential services through an investment of up to $174 million over 18 months, if needed.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/08/government-of-canada-announces-new-measures-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
August 14, 2020:
- Government of Canada released Canada’s Flight Plan for safe air travel.
- Canada’s Flight Plan for Navigating COVID-19 (Canada’s Flight Plan) is the foundation for Canada’s current and future efforts to reduce the public health risks of COVID-19 while travelling by aircraft.
- This action plan puts in place a multi-layered system of safety measures to support public health by protecting air travellers and air industry workers from COVID-19.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/08/government-of-canada-releases-canadas-flight-plan-for-safe-air-travel.html
September 4, 2020:
- Announcement that Transport Canada fines two individuals $1,000 each for failing to follow direction from the flight crew to wear face coverings during flight.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/09/transport-canada-fines-two-individuals-for-failing-to-follow-direction-from-the-flight-crew-to-wear-face-coverings-during-flight.html
September 11, 2020:
- Announcement that the Government of Canada and partners are improving process to notify air travellers potentially exposed to COVID-19 on domestic flights (contact tracing).
- Transport Canada, provincial and territorial governments, public health authorities, and Canada’s largest air carriers have established a consistent approach for air carriers to collect and share passenger information necessary to alert Canadians of possible COVID-19 exposure while travelling by air, in compliance with applicable privacy legislation.
- This would facilitate timely contact tracing and exposure notification for passengers on domestic flights.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/09/government-of-canada-and-partners-improve-process-to-notify-air-travellers-potentially-exposed-to-covid-19-on-domestic-flights.html
September 29, 2020:
- Minister Garneau announced that temperature screening for air travellers is expanded to 11 additional Canadian airports.
- The announcement is part of a multi-phased approach to temperature screenings for all passengers travelling to Canada and travellers departing some Canadian airports, for either international or domestic destinations.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/09/temperature-screening-for-air-travellers-expanded-to-11-additional-canadian-airports.html
November 2, 2020:
- The Government of Canada announced that, as of November 21, 2020, air travellers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. This includes travel and contact information, quarantine plan (unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order), and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.
- Travellers entering Canada by land or marine modes are strongly encouraged to continue ArriveCAN by downloading the mobile app or signing in online to provide the mandatory information before they arrive to avoid additional delays for public health questioning and to limit points of contact at the border
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2020/11/government-of-canada-announces-new-mandatory-requirements-for-travellers-to-canada.html
November 2, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with the Government of Nunavut to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $17.1 million to ensure continuity of service for at least six months and up to 18 months if necessary. The Government of Nunavut is willing to commit an equal amount, up to $17.1 million, through a combination of monetary and in-kind contributions.
- Under this agreement, the Government of Nunavut will determine minimum levels of essential services to remote communities and allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/11/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-the-government-of-nunavut-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
November 2, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $17.1 million to ensure continuity of service for at least six months and up to 18 months if necessary. The Government of the Northwest Territories is also providing up to $3 million through this agreement.
- Under this agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories will determine minimum levels of essential services to remote communities and allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/11/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-the-government-of-the-northwest-territories-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
November 9, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with Government of Yukon to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $7 million to ensure continuity of service for at least six months and up to 18 months if necessary. The Government of Yukon is also extending fee waivers totaling up to $234,000, through to the end of March 2021.
- Under this agreement, the Government of Yukon will determine minimum levels of essential services to remote communities, and allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/11/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-government-of-yukon-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
December 31, 2020:
- Announcement of pre-departure COVID-19 testing and negative results to be required for all air travellers coming to Canada
- Effective January 7, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. EST, all air passengers five years of age or older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 before travelling from another country to Canada.
- Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/12/pre-departure-covid-19-testing-and-negative-results-to-be-required-for-all-air-travellers-coming-to-canada.html
January 6, 2021:
- Announcement of coming into effect of the new pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travellers flying into Canada
- Minister of Transport issued an Interim Order formalizing new COVID-19 testing requirements for all air travellers coming to Canada, and providing additional guidance to airline operators and the travelling public regarding the new pre-departure testing requirement that was announced on December 31
- Effective midnight on January 7, 2021 (00:00 EST or 05:00 UCT), regardless of citizenship, all travellers five years of age or older must provide proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/new-pre-departure-covid-19-testing-requirements-come-into-effect-for-all-air-travellers-flying-into-canada.html
January 21, 2021:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with Government of Ontario to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $11,134,000 for air services to remote communities to cover the period of July 1 to December 31, 2020. The Government of Ontario is investing $14.2 million to operate remote airports in 2020/21, including an additional $4 million this year to ensure continued safe operations during the pandemic.
- Under this agreement, the Government of Ontario will allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-government-of-ontario-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
January 26, 2021:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with Government of British Columbia to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $2,176,000 for air services to remote communities to cover the period of July 1 to December 31, 2020.
- Under this agreement, the Government of British Columbia allocates the funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities. The B.C. Aviation Council is providing guidance to the Government of British Columbia on the allocation of the funds.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-government-of-british-columbia-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
January 29, 2021:
- Government of Canada introduced further restrictions on international travel
- The government and Canada’s airlines have agreed to suspend all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30, 2021. This will be in effect as of January 31, 2021.
- Further, effective midnight (11:59 PM EST) February 3, 2021, in addition to proof of a negative pre-departure test, Transport Canada will expand the existing international flight restrictions which funnel scheduled international commercial passenger flights into four Canadian airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.
- The new restrictions will include scheduled commercial passenger flights arriving from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which were exempted from the previous restriction.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-introduces-further-restrictions-on-international-travel.html
February 1, 2021:
- Government of Canada announced agreement with Government of Manitoba to support essential air access to remote communities
- The Government of Canada is contributing up to $12,031,000 for air services to remote communities to cover the period of July 1 to December 31, 2020
- Under this agreement, the Government of Manitoba will allocate funding to air operators to ensure the continued supply of food, medical supplies, and other essential goods and services to these communities.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-announces-agreement-with-government-of-manitoba-to-support-essential-air-access-to-remote-communities.html
MARINE
March 13, 2020:
- Government of Canada announced intention to defer the start of cruise ship season in Canada as a COVID-19 response measure, from April 2, 2020, to July 1, 2020, at the earliest.
- This deferral will apply to cruise ships capable of carrying more than 500 passengers and crew members.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-announces-intention-to-defer-the-start-of-cruise-ship-season-in-canada-as-covid-19-response-measure.html
April 5, 2020:
- The Government of Canada announced new measures for ferries and commercial passenger vessels capable of carrying more than 12 passengers.
- Prohibits all commercial marine vessels with a capacity of more than 12 passengers from engaging in non-essential activities, such as tourism or recreation.
- Prevents any Canadian cruise ship from mooring, navigating, or transiting in Canadian Arctic waters
- Requires ferries and essential passenger vessel operators to:
- Immediately reduce by 50% the maximum number of passengers on board.
- Implement alternative practices to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 such as keeping people in their vehicles, when feasible or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/04/the-government-of-canada-announces-new-measures-for-ferries-and-commercial-passenger-vessels-capable-of-carrying-more-than-12-passengers.html
May 14, 2020:
- The Government of Canada announced new measures for pleasure craft in northern communities.
- As of June 1, 2020, pleasure craft will be prohibited from operating within Canada’s Arctic coastal waters, as well as in the coastal areas of northern Quebec and Labrador.
- Canadians who want to operate their pleasure craft in non-Arctic coastal waters, as well as on inland lakes and rivers anywhere in Canada, should follow the guidance of their local health authority.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/05/the-government-of-canada-announces-new-measures-for-pleasure-craft-in-northern-communities.html
May 29, 2020:
- Minister Garneau announced updated measures for cruise ships and passenger vessels in Canadian waters up to October 31, 2020:
- Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020.
- As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.
- Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters until October 31, 2020.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/05/minister-garneau-announces-updated-measures-for-cruise-ships-and-passenger-vessels-in-canadian-waters-up-to-october-31-2020.html
October 29, 2020:
- Minister Garneau announced extended measures for cruise ships and pleasure craft in Canada.
- Cruise ships with overnight accommodations carrying more than 100 people continue to be prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
- All other passenger vessels must continue following provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority guidance.
- Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters.
- Adventure-seeking pleasure craft also continue to be banned in Arctic waters.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/10/minister-garneau-announces-extended-measures-for-cruise-ships-and-pleasure-craft-in-canada.html
February 4, 2021:
- Minister Alghabra announced a one-year ban for pleasure craft and cruise vessels.
- There are two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.
- This means:
- Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
- Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
- Cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-announces-one-year-ban-for-pleasure-craft-and-cruise-vessels.html