Ministerial transition 2021: Transition binder—COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response, ArriveCAN, and proof of vaccine credential

The CBSA performs a key operational role at the border in managing the public health measures put in place by the Government under the Quarantine Act. Border services officers (BSOs) for example have been assessing if prohibitions on entry apply to foreign nationals, screening for symptoms of COVID at the border, checking pre-arrival PCR tests, confirming if travellers meet criteria to be considered fully-vaccinated, identifying travellers subject to quarantine and reviewing adequacy of quarantine plans, helping to administer on-arrival testing requirements, among other operational duties.

The Agency has continuously adapted its border processes to implement these measures, ensuring consistent and effective border management. One significant effort around carrying out the new public health requirements was the development of the ArriveCAN application. ArriveCAN is now enabling all incoming travellers to Canada to submit mandatory public health information quickly, easily, and securely – whether they enter the country by air, land, or sea.

As public health measures ease and international travel increases, the Government of Canada will need to continue to adjust how travellers are processed at the border. If not, entering Canada will include significant wait times, given how significantly border processing has changed since the pandemic began. If there is a change in U.S. posture allowing discretionary entry at the land borders, further increases in traffic volumes are expected.

The Government opened the border in a phased approach. Phase 1 (launched July 5, 2021) eliminated the 14-day quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travellers. Not long after, on August 9, Canada entered Phase 2, allowing fully vaccinated travellers to enter from the United States for discretionary purposes. A few weeks later, Phase 3 began on September 7, allowing discretionary travel into Canada by foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with a Government of Canada-approved vaccine (Pfizer [Comirnaty], Moderna [Spikevax], AstraZeneca [Vaxzevria], or Johnson and Johnson [Janssen]). These passengers are still required prior to boarding (air) or upon entry (land) to show proof of a negative molecular test for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours old, but they are no longer required to quarantine. As of September 27, there are 10 airports open to receive international travellers: Toronto (Pearson and Billy Bishop), Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton Vancouver, Ottawa, Halifax, Quebec City, and Winnipeg.

As an exception to these new measures, Canada has suspended direct commercial and private passenger flights from Morocco until at least September 29 using Transport Canada's authorities under the Aeronautics Act by issuing a Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM. A similar NOTAM was also issued for India, which expired September 26 at 23:59. Travellers must meet a set of more rigorous requirements be eligible to enter Canada directly from India. Travellers who are unable to meet these requirements will be denied boarding.

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Further, there remain a number of travellers who are permitted to enter Canada even if they are not fully vaccinated. These include essential service providers, temporary foreign workers, foreign nationals entering Canada to be reunited with family, students, and returning Canadians and permanent residents. Most categories of travellers who are eligible to enter unvaccinated are still subject to mandatory testing and quarantine requirements, as well as submission of travel, contact, and quarantine information via ArriveCAN. Test positivity rates are stable and remain low, particularly for fully vaccinated travellers. Since September 7, 81% of travellers are assessed as fully vaccinated, while 19% are not.

The three border Orders in Council that govern entry restrictions will expire November 21, 2021. Consideration must be taken as to their renewal, and whether or not changes should be made.

ArriveCAN

The CBSA developed and implemented the ArriveCAN application for travellers to digitally provide the CBSA and PHAC with information related to public health measures. The app launched in April 2020 and is available on the Apple iOS and Google Play stores. Travellers can also submit their information by signing in online at Canada.ca/ArriveCAN.

ArriveCAN is available in English, French and Spanish on the mobile app and in English and French through the website. The web version is accessible for individuals with disabilities. Pursuant to a traveller's obligations under the Emergency Orders issued under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, all travellers entering Canada, regardless of mode, must submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN to be considered fully vaccinated, unless otherwise exempt.

Proof of vaccination credential

Canada's Proof of Vaccination Credential (PVC) Program is multi-jurisdictional. It is led by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) which is the business and policy lead pursuant to its responsibilities for public-health-related border measures under the Quarantine Act. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides project coordination and is the key interlocutor with international standard-setting bodies establishing globally interoperable travel document specifications. Service Canada provides front-facing services to the public, including vaccination-related advice for international travel. Provinces and territories (PTs) are an integral part of the program as the custodians of Canadian vaccination records.

PHAC and IRCC are working in close collaboration with key government partners including the CBSA to coordinate the development and operationalization of the PVC solution at Canadian borders. Implementation is proceeding in stages, as follows:

Stage A: This began on July 5, 2021, and is essentially a low-fi stage based on existing provincial and territorial (PT) documents, and only helps facilitate travel into Canada.[Redacted]

Stage B: This stage is anticipated to be in place during fall 2021. At this stage, provinces and territories will issue credentials with a common format to enhance travel within Canada and abroad. [Redacted]

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