Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Information for Canadians and permanent residents
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Registered Indians under the Indian Act continue to enter Canada by right, and are subject to COVID-19 measures. This section summarizes important information for Canadian and permanent residents.
Travel restrictions
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada advises Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada and to avoid all cruise ship travel outside Canada until further notice.
The Governments of Canada and the United States have temporarily suspended discretionary travel across the Canada-US border. These restrictions remain in place.
Returning to Canada
Note for non-commercial travellers
Effective , there is a dedicated lane at the Peace Bridge border crossing (Fort Erie, Ontario) for non-commercial travellers using the ArriveCAN app. To access this lane, download the app and submit your personal contact information up to 48 hours prior to arriving in Canada.
In order to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada has put in place measures that must be followed by all travellers returning to Canada:
- Travellers are provided with a kit that includes a mask and instructions
- Travellers who do not have symptoms must quarantine themselves for 14 days unless they are exempted
- Travellers who have symptoms of COVID-19 are referred to a PHAC staff member for further assessment and must isolate for 14 days
Certain travellers are exempt from the requirements to quarantine. This includes those who:
- cross the border regularly to ensure the continued flow of goods and essential services, or
- receive or provide other essential services to Canadians
Certain travellers are permitted to travel through Canada while in transit directly from one place outside Canada to another place outside Canada, if the transit is:
- non-discretionary (essential)
- direct
- continuous/uninterrupted
- by the most reasonable route
They may only make essential stops along the way, including to use facilities, refuel or for essential supplies.
They must follow social distancing practices and wear a non-medical mask or face covering during these stops.
More information
Compliance and enforcement of the Quarantine Act
Compliance and enforcement chart (PDF, 2MB)
Enforcing compliance with the Quarantine Act is a shared responsibility.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Determine if a foreign national traveller meets the standard of entry under the travel prohibitions
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Determine if the traveller is required to isolate, quarantine or exempt and provide traveller a handout with their obligations
- Conduct compliance promotion activities, through handouts and electronic means of communication
- Conduct screening to determine if a traveller is asymptomatic or symptomatic
- Develop and use digital tools to support information and data collection for compliance and enforcement purposes
- Identify and flag travellers who may be non-complaint with quarantine/isolate orders or those who are a high risk of non-compliance (Warrant Response Centre and regional Intelligence and Enforcement)
- Confirm that a traveller has a suitable quarantine plan
- Refer to Public Health Agency of Canada if not
- Provide evidence when required to support enforcement actions
- Provide PHAC relevant information on travellers crossing the border
- Support law enforcement agencies by providing entry information as part of a non-compliance investigation
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Determine if the traveller is required to isolate, quarantine or exempt and provide traveller a handout with their obligations (Note: May be responsible depending on the situation)
- Conduct compliance promotion activities, through handouts and electronic means of communication
- Verify and/or monitor compliance of the order, through phone calls to symptomatic travellers
- Conduct screening to determine if a traveller is asymptomatic or symptomatic
- Develop and use digital tools to support information and data collection for compliance and enforcement purposes
- Identify and flag travellers who may be non-complaint with quarantine/isolate orders or those who are a high risk of non-compliance (Warrant Response Centre and regional Intelligence and Enforcement)
- Confirm that a traveller has a suitable quarantine plan (Note: May be responsible depending on the situation)
- Provide evidence when required to support enforcement actions
- Support law enforcement agencies by providing entry information as part of a non-compliance investigation
- Enforce orders as needed when travellers do not comply (for example, during visits to check for compliance)
Service Canada
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Verify and/or monitor compliance of the order, through phone calls to symptomatic travellers
- Identify and flag travellers who may be non-complaint with quarantine/isolate orders or those who are a high risk of non-compliance (Warrant Response Centre and regional Intelligence and Enforcement)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Develop and use digital tools to support information and data collection for compliance and enforcement purposes (Note: May be responsible depending on the situation)
- Provide evidence when required to support enforcement actions
- Support law enforcement agencies by providing entry information as part of a non-compliance investigation
- Enforce orders as needed when travellers do not comply (for example, during visits to check for compliance)
- Undertake enforcement actions, as necessary
Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC)
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Refer cases to public prosecutors who determine if cases involving charges against a traveller will go to court
- Testify in provincial court cases when a fine is contested (Note: May be responsible depending on the situation)
Local jurisdictions
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Verify and/or monitor compliance of the order, through phone calls to symptomatic travellers
- Identify and flag travellers who may be non-complaint with quarantine/isolate orders or those who are a high risk of non-compliance (Warrant Response Centre and regional Intelligence and Enforcement)
- Provide evidence when required to support enforcement actions
- Enforce orders as needed when travellers do not comply (for example, during visits to check for compliance)
- Undertake enforcement actions, as necessary
Provincial health authorities
- Administer and/or enforce the emergency orders made under the Quarantine Act
- Verify and/or monitor compliance of the order, through phone calls to symptomatic travellers
- Develop and use digital tools to support information and data collection for compliance and enforcement purposes
- Identify and flag travellers who may be non-complaint with quarantine/isolate orders or those who are a high risk of non-compliance (Warrant Response Centre and regional Intelligence and Enforcement)
- Provide evidence when required to support enforcement actions
- Enforce orders as needed when travellers do not comply (for example, during visits to check for compliance)
- Undertake enforcement actions, as necessary
- Refer cases to public prosecutors who determine if cases involving charges against a traveller will go to court
- Testify in provincial court cases when a fine is contested
Temporary import of US-plated vehicles into Canada
Until further notice, the CBSA is lifting the 60-day condition regarding the temporary import of US-plated vehicles by Canadian residents. A new deadline for when these vehicles will need to be exported or permanently imported with applicable duties and tax will follow.
More information
Importing goods by mail
The CBSA has implemented protective measures for all CBSA staff, including social distancing protocols and the use of personal protective equipment.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in volume has resulted in processing delays at the 3 international mail centres.
The CBSA is unable to provide information on parcels being processed. Please continue to visit the Canada Post website to track your parcel. Items that have been transferred to the CBSA for additional processing will display the following notice on the Canada Post website: “Item presented to the CBSA for customs review.”
The CBSA continues to work closely with its Canada Post partners to process international mail during these unprecedented times without compromising security. We thank you for your patience.
More information
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