Canada to Drop COVID Travel Requirements Starting October 1

The Public Health Agency of Canada has announced that beginning October 1, 2022, it will officially drop vaccination and testing protocols for travel to Canada. This update includes the lifting of cruise-related restrictions. 

According to the Government of Canada, this change was done in part by the evolving situation of the pandemic. They cited high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, and the availability and use of vaccines, rapid tests, and treatments as the rationale for the removal of COVID-related protocol. 

Effective this Saturday, October 1, all travelers coming into the country (regardless of citizenship) will no longer have to report the following: 

• Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website.
• Provide proof of vaccination.
• Undergo pre- or on-arrival testing.
• Carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation.
• Monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving in the country. 

Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada will remove the following protocols: 

• Undergo health checks for travel on air and rail.
• Wear face masks on planes and trains.

In its official announcement, the Government of Canada provided the following update for cruise protocols in the country, “Cruise measures are also being lifted, and travelers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.” 

Cruise lines have responded to the dropping of COVID-related requirements for travel to Canada: 

• Princess Cruises: “Princess Cruises is prepared to welcome all guests on cruises visiting, arriving or departing from Canadian ports, including its Canada/New England voyages and Alaska cruises where the cruise line is the industry leader. All of Princess’ Alaska cruises feature Canada as part of the itinerary.” 
• Holland America Line: "Holland America Line is pleased with the recent announcement of the lifting of Canadian pandemic border restrictions. Under the new guidelines, Canadian border vaccination and testing requirements are no longer necessary, which is an important step for the cruise industry in simplifying the travel process for itineraries to Alaska and Canada. Under the new procedures, there is no longer a vaccination requirement for people entering Canada, COVID-19 testing at airports will end and the use of the ArriveCan app will be optional by the end of September.”    
• Norwegian Cruise Line : "Effective for sailings beginning September 30, 2022, all COVID-19 travel requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation protocols will no longer be required for travelers entering Canada by land, air or sea. Although Canada has lifted its COVID-19 travel requirements, including those specific to cruise passengers, all guests must still meet the following NCL embarkation requirements to board their upcoming cruise."
• Seabourn Cruises: "Seabourn is ready to welcome all guests on board its voyages that visit Canada with the news from Transport Canada, which announced it will end all COVID-19 entry and testing requirements for visitors traveling to Canada. The new guidance will make it easier for guests to plan and travel on Seabourn’s Alaska and Canada and New England voyages during the summer and fall seasons. Seabourn is updating its health protocols to align with Transport Canada’s revised guidelines for select voyages departing on and after October 1, 2022." 

 We anticipate other lines to make changes to their guidelines soon and will continue to provide updates here. 

This is a breaking news story. We will provide updates as soon as they become available. (Latest Update: September 28, 2022)

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