COVID-19 information for travellers within Canada

Non-medical masks or face coverings

You must have a non-medical mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose during your travel through Canadian airports and during your flight. Air operators must notify each passenger, and receive confirmation, that they have a face covering as early as possible during their journey. This prevents situations where passengers arrive at the airport without a non-medical mask or face covering and can be done at the online booking or online check-in, or physically at registration or, less ideally, at the check-in counter.

If you don’t have a non-medical mask or face covering, you won’t be allowed to enter the restricted areas of the airport and continue with your journey.

You will be asked to wear the non-medical mask or face covering:

• at the security screening checkpoints
• at the boarding gate
• during the flight when you can’t physically distance from others
• when asked by an airline employee, a public health official, staff from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, or a Canada Border Services Agency officer

You will be asked to briefly step back 2 metres, lower your face covering, and put it back on at:

• the security screening checkpoint
• the boarding gate, to verify identification, after handing documents to airline staff

You will be asked to remove your non-medical mask or face covering:

• during the flight, when it could be dangerous to wear a mask (like during the use of oxygen masks or other emergency situation) or when eating, drinking or taking oral medication
• at the Customs Hall
  • you’ll need to remove your mask to have your photo taken at the Primary Inspection Kiosk
  • whenever a Canada Border Services Agency officer, Public Health Agency of Canada employee, or provincial/territorial official asks you to

If you are traveling out of one of Canada's major airports, they may have procedures for you to follow:

• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
• Prince George International Airport (YXS)
• Kelowna International Airport (YLW)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Calgary International Airport (YYC)
• Saskatoon International Airport (YXE)
• Regina International Airport (YQR)
• Winnipeg International Airport (YWG)
• Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)
• Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport (YOW)
• Toronto's Pearson Airport (YYZ)
• London International Airport (YXU)
• Montreal's Trudeau Airport (YUL)
• Jean Lesage Quebec City International Airport (YQB)
• Fredericton International Airport (YFC)
• Greater Moncton International Airport (YQM)
• Saint John International Airport (YSG)
• Charlottetown International Airport (YYG)
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
• Gander International Airport (YQX)
• St-John's International Airport (YYT)

Transport Canada owned airports

The same guidance around flying out of a Canadian airport is also being followed at airports that Transport Canada owns. You will be expected to:

• wear a non-medical mask or face covering to cover your mouth and nose during travel
• respond to health questions asked by air operators regarding COVID-19 symptoms at check-in

Due the remote location of many of TC-owned airports, you may also be asked to follow local public health authority advice to minimize the risk to the community. This could include answering questions when you arrive or completing a self-declaration form.

To limit the number of people in the building and allow for additional space for physical distancing, we are asking those waiting for arriving passengers to wait outside the terminal or in their vehicle.

The following steps are also being taken to protect employees working at the airports:

• increased and frequent cleaning and sanitization of high-touch points throughout the airport, including employee workstations and areas
• reducing air terminal hours to allow for our cleaning services to more thoroughly clean and disinfect the facility
• more hand sanitizer stations throughout the terminal
• physical distancing measures in the terminal
• restricting public access to airport administration offices

Arriving at your destination

When you arrive at your Canadian destination, you may be subject to further measures taken by the provincial or territorial government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

More information

• Aviation measures in response to COVID-19
• COVID-19 guidance posters for air travellers
• Canadian Transportation Agency - Important Information for Travellers During COVID-19
• CATSA COVID-19 Measures

You should have a non-medical mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose while you are travelling. You may be asked to wear it. If you don’t have a mask, you might not be allowed to board the vessel.

You are encouraged to wear a face covering whenever possible, especially in situations where physical distancing of 2 metres cannot be maintained.

If your non-medical mask or face covering becomes damp or wet, you are encouraged to replace it with a dry one. A reusable non-medical mask that is damp or dirty can be put into a plastic bag until it can be safely laundered.

Pleasure craft

During recreational boating season, it is important to stay diligent or stay home to limit the spread of COVID-19. If you do go out on the water, follow your provincial or territorial guidelines, as well as direction provided by local or regional health authorities.

Pleasure craft in Arctic communities (North of 60)

Measures were introduced to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in remote and vulnerable Arctic communities. As of June 1, 2020 until at least February 28, 2021, pleasure craft will be prohibited from operating within Canada's Arctic coastal waters (north of the 60^th parallel), as well as in the coastal areas of northern Quebec and Labrador.

These restrictions do not apply to pleasure craft used by local communities, or used for essential transportation or subsistence fishing, harvesting and hunting.

Pleasure craft in Southern Canada (south of 60)

Guidance has been developed for the use of pleasure craft in Canadian waters south of the 60^th parallel and should be considered alongside provincial, territorial and local measures to ensure the safety of everyone on the water. Related to this is also Guidance for Physical Distancing and Safe Boating [PDF].

Canadians who want to operate their pleasure craft south of the 60^th parallel, as well as on inland lakes and rivers anywhere in Canada, should follow the advice from their local health authority.

If you plan to use a marina or boat launch, refer to our Guidance for Canadians Using Marinas and Boat Launches [PDF].

We have also published a guide on Safe Boating for Canadians to Reduce the Burden on Emergency Responders [PDF].

More information

• Backgrounder: Updated COVID-19 measures for cruise ships and other passenger
• Face covering requirements for travel on passenger vessels and ferries (PDF, 566kb)
• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for marine transportation issued by Transport Canada

You should wear a non-medical mask or face covering that covers your mouth and nose while you are travelling.

Wear a mask when:

• boarding or exiting the vehicle
• asked by the motor coach or bus operator, or a public health official

More information

• Face coverings for intercommunity bus, and motor carrier passengers (PDF, 244kb)
• Use of Face Coverings by Commercial Vehicle Drivers and Motor Carrier, and Intercommunity Bus Passengers
• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for road issued by Transport Canada
• Federal Bridge Corporation Limited - FBCL COVID-19 Press Releases/Public Notices

All rail travellers should wear a non-medical mask or face covering that covers their mouth and nose while they are travelling, especially in situations where physical distancing guidelines cannot be maintained.

Wear a mask when:

• boarding or exiting the train
• asked by a railway employee or a public health official

More information

• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for rail issued by Transport Canada
• Travelling by train in Canada? New COVID-19 restrictions in effect (PDF, 111 KB)
• COVID-19: Face covering
• Via Rail - COVID-19: Keeping You Up to Date

For the most part, public transit is the responsibility of the provincial or municipal governments. Please visit their websites for more information.

Legal Authority of Collection

For specified classes of individuals subject to the applicable Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19 (Interim Order), Transport Canada may collect personal information in the course of an inspection or audit pursuant to sections 8.7 and 8.8 of the Aeronautics Act. The authority to issue Interim Orders is pursuant to sections 4.71 and 6.41 of this Act.

Class of Individuals:

Air passengers departing from airports in Canada, crew members, employees working in restricted areas (who are not boarding flights), aerodrome operators, and employees of federally-regulated transportation companies, or any class of individual listed in the applicable Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19.

Description of Personal Information and Purpose of Collection:

Transport Canada may collect personal information for the purposes of monitoring and auditing compliance with Interim Orders and related enforcement activities, for example, during instances of non-compliance by those subject to the applicable the Interim Order requirements.

To comply with the Interim Order requirements, air carriers and federally-regulated operators and screening authorities will document when an individual is denied boarding or denied entry into the restricted area of the airport based on the Interim Order requirements and notify Transport Canada of such incidents. Furthermore, as required under the Interim Order, if an air carrier or the screening authority has reason to believe that a person has provided a confirmation or evidence related to the Interim Order that is likely to be false or misleading, they must notify Transport Canada and provide information to Transport Canada if requested. To follow-up on these reports, Transport Canada may request a copy of the record under its oversight and compliance program as outlined in the Aeronautics Act and the applicable Interim Order.

The information to be provided to Transport Canada, at the time of notification or upon request, may include personal information, such as, but not limited to:

1. name
2. home address
3. telephone number
4. email address
5. flight date, number and carrier
6. number/identifier of the document of entitlement (for access to restricted areas)
7. the reason why the person was denied permission to board, or denied entry/access
8. information related to the person’s proof of vaccination credential
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status
9. information related to the person’s exemption or exemption request
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status, religious belief, occupation or work, and/or medical information.
   • This could include information such as name and contact information of the person’s medical doctor or nurse practitioner
10. other, as deemed necessary.

Consistent Uses and Disclosures:

Transport Canada may use this personal information to monitor, assess and enforce regulations, including, in certain cases, to impose monetary penalties, to protect public safety under the Aeronautics Act and its applicable Interim Orders. This personal information may be disclosed to other federal institutions where authorized by law.

Personal information may also be used in depersonalized reports for monitoring and statistical purposes as well as various related administrative functions.

Retention and Disposal Standards:

All documentation and personal information provided in this context and for the purposes of audit and enforcement by Transport Canada will be retained for a period which will be determined and communicated on this page when available.

Personal Information Bank “Aviation Enforcement”:

In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, the personal information collected is described in Personal Information Bank (PIB) entitled “Aviation Enforcement”, Transport Canada PPU 015. The full text of this PIB is currently being modified to include the activities mentioned above. The modified PIB will be published in Transport Canada’s chapter of the TBS Info Source publication, which is available at https://tc.canada.ca/en/info-source or by contacting Transport Canada’s ATIP Office at atip-aiprp@tc.gc.ca.

Legal Authority for Collection

Transport Canada may collect personal information pursuant to section 32.01 of the Railway Safety Act and its applicable Ministerial Orders in the course of inspection and enforcement.

Class of Individuals:

Rail passengers on VIA Rail, AMTRAK, and Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as employees of federally-regulated railway companies who have been identified in the course of inspection or enforcement of the requirements under the applicable Ministerial Order.

Description of Personal Information and Purpose of Collection

Transport Canada may collect personal information for the purposes of inspection and enforcement activities to verify compliance with the Railway Safety Act and its applicable Ministerial Orders. Furthermore, as required under Ministerial Orders, if a railway company has reason to believe that a person has provided a confirmation or evidence that is likely to be false or misleading, they must notify and may provide information to Transport Canada, if requested.

The information to be provided to Transport Canada, at the time of notification or upon request, may include personal information, such as, but not limited to:

1. name
2. home address
3. telephone number
4. email address
5. date, travel code, and carrier
6. the reason why the person was denied permission to board
7. information related to the person’s proof of vaccination credential
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status
8. information related to the person’s exemption or exemption request
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status, religious belief, occupation or work, and/or medical information.
   • This could include information such as name and contact information of the person’s medical doctor or nurse practitioner
9. other, as deemed necessary.

Consistent Uses and Disclosures:

Transport Canada may use personal information to monitor, assess and enforce regulations to protect public safety under the Rail Safety Act and its applicable Ministerial Orders. This personal information may be disclosed to other federal institutions where authorized by law.

Personal information may also be used in depersonalized reports for monitoring and statistical purposes as well as various related administrative functions.

Retention and Disposal:

All documentation and personal information provided in this context and for the purposes of audit and enforcement by Transport Canada will be retained for a period which will be determined and communicated on this page when available.

Personal Information Bank

The collection, use, and disclosure of personal information will be further described in a personal information bank which is currently under development.

Legal Authority for Collection

Transport Canada may collect personal information pursuant to the applicable Interim Order Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), made pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and the authority of inspectors under section 211 of the Act.

Class of Individuals:

Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of more than 24 hours, and other classes of individuals who have been identified as relevant for data collection related to inspections and/or other enforcement actions related to the requirements under the Interim Order.

Description of Personal Information and Purpose of Collection:

Transport Canada may collect personal information for the purposes of audit and enforcement activities to comply with the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and its applicable Interim Orders. Furthermore, as required under Ministerial Orders, if a federally-regulated company has reason to believe that a person has provided a confirmation or evidence that is likely to be false or misleading, they must notify and may provide information to Transport Canada, if requested.

The information to be provided to Transport Canada, at the time of notification or upon request, may include personal information, such as, but not limited to:

1. name
2. home address
3. telephone number
4. email address
5. date and trip details, vessel name
6. the reason why the person was denied permission to board
7. information related to the person’s proof of vaccination credential
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status
8. information related to the person’s exemption or exemption request
   • This could include information related to the person’s vaccination status, religious belief, occupation or work, and/or medical information.
   • This could include information such as name and contact information of the person’s medical doctor or nurse practitioner
9. other, as deemed necessary.

Consistent Uses and Disclosures:

Transport Canada may use personal information to monitor, assess and enforce regulations to protect public safety under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and its applicable Interim Orders. This personal information may be disclosed to other federal institutions where authorized by law.

Personal information may also be used in depersonalized reports for monitoring and statistical purposes as well as various related administrative functions.

Retention and Disposal:

All documentation and personal information provided in this context and for the purposes of audit and enforcement by Transport Canada will be retained for a period which will be determined and communicated on this page when available.

Personal Information Bank: “Marine Safety Enforcement Program”

The collection, use, and disclosure of personal information will be further described in the Personal Information Bank entitled “Marine Safety Enforcement Program”, Transport Canada PPU 021. The full text of this PIB is currently being modified to include the activities mentioned above. The modified PIB will be published in Transport Canada’s chapter of the TBS Info Source publication, which is available at https://tc.canada.ca/en/info-source or by contacting Transport Canada’s ATIP Office at atip-aiprp@tc.gc.ca.

Legal Authority for Collection

Transport Canada may collect personal information pursuant to the applicable legislation, under the Aeronautics Act, Railway Safety Act or Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and it will only be used and disclosed by Transport Canada in accordance with the Privacy Act and its regulations.

Class of Individuals:

Persons seeking to travel by air, rail, or marine mode, and subject to requirements as ‘passengers’ in the relevant Interim or Ministerial Order.

Description of Personal Information and Purpose of Collection:

Transport Canada may collect personal information for the purposes of approving or denying requests for exemption from the requirement for mandatory full vaccination under the applicable Interim or Ministerial Orders where the purpose for the travel is exceptional, and considered to be in the national interest.

The information to be provided to Transport Canada by the traveller (or acting party) for consideration under the National Interest Exemption process may include personal information, such as, but not limited to:

1. name
2. home address
3. telephone number
4. email address
5. date of birth
6. name of associated organization/employer
7. reason for exemption: in a clinical trial for COVID vaccines, critical infrastructure needs, other national interest – and brief description
8. trip details (e.g. departure date and city, destination, mode of travel)
9. other, as deemed necessary (e.g. amplifying information related to purpose of travel to determine if it meets criteria of national interest).

Personal information collected in this form may be used by Transport Canada for the following purposes:

• determine the qualification of the applicant identified on the form for temporary exemption to the mandatory requirement for vaccination for exceptional travel in the national interest;
• contact the individual in the event that Transport Canada requires clarification, additional information, and/or to address requests for modification;
• communicate the approval or denial to the applicant;
• for public health follow-up (including disclosure of specified information for this purpose to the organization and/or site(s) specific to the applicant’s exemption); and/or,
• for program evaluation and aggregate statistics.

Consistent Uses and Disclosures:

Transport Canada may collect and use personal information to monitor, assess, and enforce regulations to protect public safety under the Aeronautics Act, Railway Safety Act or Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and its applicable Interim or Ministerial Orders. This personal information may be disclosed to other federal institutions where necessary to render a decision or where authorized by law.

Personal information may also be used in depersonalized reports for monitoring and statistical purposes as well as various related administrative functions.

In other limited and specific circumstances, personal information may be used and/or disclosed without consent in accordance with section 7 and subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act.

All documentation and personal information provided in this context and for the purposes of receiving an exemption will be retained for a minimum of three years following its last administrative use.

Personal Information Bank

The personal information provided to Transport Canada is governed in accordance with the Privacy Act and its regulations and is requested as part of the Government of Canada's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal information collected, as well as its use, disclosure, and retention, is typically described in a Personal Information Bank published on Transport Canada’s Info Source page (https://tc.canada.ca/en/info-source). At this time, the relevant Personal Information Bank is under development or may not yet reflect this activity.