Consider COVID-19 restrictions when travelling

If you’re looking to explore Canada this summer, you’ll first have to navigate the fluctuating patchwork of travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the country.

Here’s a look at some of the rules:

Maritimes

On July 3, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. will ease inter-provincial travel restrictions within the region, creating a so-called “Atlantic bubble.”

Visitors from provinces and territories outside the region will still be required to selfisolate for two weeks and adhere to local entry requirements. However, once the self-isolation period has passed, those visitors will also be allowed to travel within the Atlantic region.

Quebec

Quebec has reopened travel within most of the province, but officials encourage people to limit trips between regions.

Recommendations include planning your itinerary around local health measures, allowing extra time for delays and limiting non-essential pit stops on the road.

Police checkpoints remain in Nunavik and the Cree Territory of James Bay to limit nonessential travel into the territories.

There are no border closures or self-isolation requirements for out-of-province travellers.

Ontario

Ontario strongly discourages non-essential trips, but has yet to lay out formal rules about travel.

Manitoba

In general, travellers coming to Manitoba from outside the province are required to selfisolate for two weeks. However, as of June 21, people from Western Canada or northwestern Ontario can travel without self-isolating, so long as they haven’t left the region for the prior two weeks and don’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

The exception applies to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the region of Ontario west of Terrace Bay.

Manitoba has eased restrictions prohibiting travel north of the 53rd parallel to allow residents of Western Canada and northwestern Ontario to visit campgrounds, cottages or parks. They’re asked to travel directly to their destination, and avoid going into remote or First Nations communities.

Saskatchewan

There aren’t self-isolation requirements for travellers entering Saskatchewan. However, officials recommend that returning residents monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for two weeks, and visitors are asked to abide by public health measures.

The province lifted a ban on non-essential travel in the northwest on June 7, but then reversed course to restrict travel to certain high-risk communities in the region.

Recreational travel within the province is permitted, but the province warns there are restrictions that could impact your trip. Some private campgrounds and regional parks have reopened. Only Saskatchewan residents are allowed to camp in provincial parks.

Alberta

Albertans are allowed to travel within the province, including to vacation homes, cabins, hotels, campgrounds and national and provincial parks. Travellers are asked to abide by physical distancing guidelines, and use the province’s mobile contact tracing app while out in public.

There are no border closures or checkpoints. However, officials are advising against non-essential travel in or out of the province until the next phase of Alberta’s reopening strategy.

British Columbia

British Columbia relaxed restrictions on travel within the province this week as data suggests that COVID-19 cases have tapered off.

Hotels, motels, spas, resorts, hostels and RV parks are now allowed to resume operating. Most provincial campgrounds, trails and other recreation sites are also open.

However, Premier John Horgan warned British Columbians to plan their trips carefully, because some communities may not be ready to welcome back visitors.