Here's What You Need To Know About Travelling Inside Canada Right Now
With international vacations off the table for many Canadians right now, some people could be considering travelling inside Canada this winter, instead.
Thanks to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, exploring the country isn’t as simple as it may have been last year.
In fact, every province, territory and even some individual regions have completely different rules when it comes to visiting during the pandemic.
If you’re dreaming of a winter staycation, but aren’t sure where to start, here’s what you need to know:
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Which Canadian provinces have no travel restrictions at all?
While an international travel advisory remains in place, it is still possible to explore some parts of Canada without restrictions.
As of November 17, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan (with the exception of a few communities) have no specific rules when it comes to provincial travel.
Visitors to these regions are not required to self-isolate upon arrival but are asked to follow local public health guidelines at all times.
While some parts of B.C. remain open to Canadians with no restrictions, other areas have recently been shut down amid spikes in COVID-19 cases.
If you're thinking of heading to the Coast, it's worth double and triple-checking the local rules!
Which provinces have some travel restrictions?
Elsewhere in Canada, things get a little more complicated!
Residents of the Atlantic Bubble, which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I., are able to travel freely between all four provinces.
However, Canadians from outside the bubble are unable to visit P.E.I. or Newfoundland and Labrador right now, as both are closed to non-Atlantic, non-essential travel.
There are some exceptions for people who own property there.
Canadian travellers can still visit Nova Scotia, providing they self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
New Brunswick is open to some eligible visitors, but they will need to register to travel there beforehand
In Manitoba, most guests are required to self-isolate for two weeks. However, people travelling from western Canada and northwestern Ontario are exempt from these rules.
Similarly, most visitors to Yukon and Nunavut must self-isolate for 14 days, although travellers to Nunavut must request permission by email and fill out a form.*
Are any Canadian regions totally off-limits right now?
Right now, the Northwest Territories is closed to all non-essential travellers.
Visitors who decide to head towards B.C. will also need to steer clear of the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions.
After the province recently experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases, these spots have been shut down entirely and they’re completely off-limits to all visitors.
In addition, anybody travelling to the otherwise-open province of Quebec must avoid Nunavik and the Cree Territory of James Bay.
Non-essential visitors are currently banned from both communities to protect them from COVID-19.
Right now, there is no end-date for the restrictions in these spots.
*This article has been updated.