Effective September 7, foreign nationals who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption can enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel.

International language students may now enter the country without the requirement to quarantine for 14 days. To be eligible to enter the country, students must:

• • be fully vaccinated: a traveller must have received, and show proof of, the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson);
  • have a valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or their arrival at the land border crossing, or a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days before departure to Canada. Antigen tests are not accepted;
  • be asymptomatic;
  • submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (App or website), including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan;
  • be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
  • take a test on arrival, if selected.

Read more: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

As of Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C. to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season.

A new order from the provincial health officer will require people 12 and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. These settings include:

• malls, shopping centres, coffee shops and retail and grocery stores;
• liquor and drug stores;
• airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;
• restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated);
• on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle;
• areas of office buildings where services to the public are provided;
• common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity;
• common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations; and

This temporary order will be reassessed as the B.C. vaccine card requirement is fully implemented in certain social and recreational settings, as announced on Aug. 23. Learn more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0053-001665

Masks remain mandatory in all areas at VGC International College.

The government of British Columbia has announced that vaccine passports will be required in order to access some events, services and non-essential businesses. Starting September 13, you must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. By October 24, you must be fully vaccinated. Learn more about BC’s vaccine passport here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof

On September 7, 2021, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to all fully vaccinated travellers. This means that fully vaccinated students (including students with an eTA, visitor visa or any other visa type) who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements will be able to enter Canada. Those students will no longer be required to quarantine at a government-designated hotel upon arrival or take a Covid-19 test on day-8.

As of August 9, 2021, the 3-night government authorized hotel quarantine will no longer be required for all travellers arriving by air. Fully vaccinated students who meet the requirements will be exempt from quarantine but must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case they do not meet the necessary requirements.

Read the full government update: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/07/government-of-canada-announces-easing-of-border-measures-for-fully-vaccinated-travellers.html

The Canadian government states that border measures remain subject to change as the epidemiological situation evolves. Please follow the Government Website for the latest announcement and changes: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

Over 78% of eligible people in British Columbia have received their first vaccination. Thanks to this increase in Covid-19 vaccinations and a steady decline in cases and hospitalizations, BC has officially moved into phase 3 of the 4-step Restart Plan to reopen the province. Starting today, a lot of restrictions have been lifted for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings, sports and exercise. For a detailed overview of all the changes as of July 1 please visit the BC Government website.  

Masks still remain mandatory on VGC’s campuses until further notice.

The Government of Canada officially announced the first phase of easing border measures for travellers entering Canada.  As of July 5, 2021, all persons who are currently authorized to enter the country, including international students (study permit holders), AND are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, will no longer be required to quarantine at a government-designated hotel upon arrival or take a Covid-19 test on day-8.

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson) at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.

Fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival and stay in isolation until the test comes back negative. All other mandatory requirements, including pre- and on-arrival testing are still required.

Click here to read the Government of Canada’s full release >

Thanks to an increase in Covid-19 vaccinations and a steady decline in case numbers and hospitalizations, BC has officially moved into phase 2 of the 4-step Restart Plan to reopen the province. The recreational travel ban within BC is now lifted and larger gatherings with Safety Plans in place can now be organized. Masks and physical distancing guidelines remain mandatory in  indoor public spaced.

For more information and an overview of all the changes as of June 15 please visit the BC Government website.  

The BC Government has announced BC’s Restart Plan, a four-step plan focused on protecting people and safely getting life back to normal.

Starting May 25, we can gradually begin to restart our important social connections, businesses and activities. Getting vaccinated is the most important tool supporting our restart. International Students are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Click here to learn more.

Please find below the updates regarding socializing etc. in Phase 1, effective May 25^th:

Personal gatherings

• • Outdoor personal gatherings up to 10 people are allowed
  • Indoor personal gatherings up to 5 people or 1 other household (Examples of a personal gathering include having friends over to your house)

Travel

• • Recreational travel within your travel region allowed
  • Non-essential travel between travel regions continues to be restricted

Restaurants, Pubs, Bars and Food Courts

• • Indoor and outdoor dining is now possible for groups up to 6 people (not restricted to your household or bubble)
  • Liquor served until 10 pm

Sports and Exercise

• • Indoor low intensity group exercise allowed with limited capacity
  • Outdoor games and practices for both adults and youth group/team sports allowed
  • No spectators at any indoor or outdoor sport activities

In addition, the Public Health Officer strongly recommends:

• • Physical distancing and masks continue to be required in public indoor settings
  • If you or anyone in your family feels sick stay home and get tested immediately

Masks remain mandatory on campus at all times. All VGC students and staff members are expected to follow these guidelines. The earliest date to move into phase 2 of the plan is June 15^th. We will update once a definite date has been confirmed.

For more information on the different steps of BC’s Restart Plan please visit the BC Government website.