Travel and COVID-19

Last updated: October 21, 2021

BC is welcoming visitors from Canadian provinces and territories. Respect communities, make a plan before you leave and arrive at your destination prepared.

Scroll down to find information on the following:

• Federal Travel Requirements
• Recreational Travel in BC
• Entering BC
• Leaving BC

Visit the BC Government website for full details.

Federal Travel Requirements

Starting October 30, 2021, travellers will need to be fully vaccinated to use federally regulated methods of travel:

• Departing from a Canadian airport
• Travelling on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
• Staying on a non-essential passenger vessel for more than 24 hours (like a cruise ship)​

During the transition period from October 30 to November 30, 2021, anyone who is partially vaccinated can travel if they show a negative COVID-19 molecular test from within 72 hours prior to departure.

Federal COVID-19 Proof of Vacciantion

The federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination certificate will be required for federally regulated international and domestic travel starting October 30. More details on getting the certificate in B.C. will be available soon.

Federal entry requirements and travel information change often. Review federal COVID-19 travel, testing, quarantine and border information.

Recreational Travel in BC

Recreational travel within B.C. is allowed. This includes travel for:

• Vacations, weekend getaways and tourism activities
• Visiting family or friends for social reasons
• Recreation activities

Respect Communities

Some towns and communities that rely on tourism are eager to welcome visitors from their region.

Others might be hesitant to welcome visitors and people need to respect that.

If communities are welcoming visitors, support their small businesses when you can.

Visiting Indigenous Communities

Some Indigenous communities in B.C. are not welcoming visitors at this time.

Indigenous Tourism BC has a list of Indigenous experiences in the province that are currently open and welcoming visitors.

Entering BC

From Another Province or Territory

If you travel to BC from another province or territory, you do not need to self-quarantine when entering BC.

You must follow the same province-wide restrictions as everyone in BC.

Review BC’s province-wide restrictions.

From a United States Border Crossing

Fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the United States can enter Canada for non-essential travel. Entry to Canada will continue to be prohibited for travellers who are not fully vaccinated.

At the border, you must provide a negative pre-entry test result. Antigen tests are not accepted for entry to Canada.

• Review accepted types of tests
• Learn about arriving in Canada at a land border crossing
• Review the requirements for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption

From an International Destination

Restrictions are in effect on travel to Canada and within Canada. Regardless of your citizenship or vaccination status, you must meet requirements for pre-entry molecular tests and use ArriveCAN to provide travel information.

You are allowed to enter Canada if you are a:

• Canadian citizen (including dual citizens)
• Person registered under the Indian Act
• Permanent resident of Canada
• Protected person (refugee status)

Foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel if they are fully vaccinated.

• Review federal requirements and exemptions
• Review information for vaccinated travellers entering Canada
• Learn about testing for travellers

Leaving BC

If you travel outside of B.C., do your research before you leave.

• If you are travelling to another province, review provincial and territorial restrictions.
• If you are travelling internationally, review federal travel advisories.