For more information and updates on the current restrictions please follow the Government of British Columbia Website. 

The Government of Canada just announced changes to their border measures that will affect International Students travelling to Canada. Recent data indicates that the latest wave of COVID-19 has passed its peak in Canada. Due to Canada’s high vaccination rates, the increasing availability of rapid tests and decreasing hospitality rates, the government is easing the entrance requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

As of February 28th, the following changes will come into effect:

• • Fully vaccinated travellers from any country entering Canada will no longer have to take a pre-arrival molecular test (such as a PCR)
  • Travellers now have the option of using a Covid-19 rapid antigen test result (taken the day prior to their scheduled flight or arrival at the border) or a molecular test result (e.g. PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight or arrival at the land border) to meet entrance requirements
  • In-home rapid tests will not be accepted. Rapid tests will need to be administered by a laboratory or health care entity.
  • On-arrival testing for fully-vaccinated travellers is no longer mandatory and will be conducted on a random basis only.
  • Travellers who are randomly selected for arrival testing are no longer required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

Please refer to the Government of Canada website to learn more about the accepted vaccines by the Government as well as the requirements to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French and a quarantine plan prior to arriving in Canada.

Full announcement from the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, current provincial health orders have been extended until Feb 16. Gyms and fitness centres will gradually reopen with additional safety measures, starting Jan 20.

Please refer to the previous post for more information on the restrictions. For more information and updates on the current restrictions please follow the Government of British Columbia Website. 

To help keep B.C. safe, the Public Health Officer has announced additional province-wide restrictions. They will be in effect from December 22, 2021 until January 18, 2022. The restrictions starting December 20th have not changed.

• • Indoor organized gatherings of any size are not allowed. This includes gatherings like New Year’s Eve parties, weddings or other celebrations
  • Indoor events at venues can only have 50% capacity. This includes events like concerts, sports or movies
  • Bars, nightclubs and lounges are closed
  • Restaurants, cafes and pubs can have a maximum of 6 people at each table
  • Adult gyms, fitness centres and dance studios are closed

Please refer to the previous post for the December 20 restrictions. For more information and updates on the current restrictions please follow the Government of British Columbia Website. 

To help keep B.C. safe, the Public Health Officer has introduced province-wide restrictions. They will be in effect December 20, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

• • New Year’s Eve parties: New Year’s Eve parties are not allowed. Events held on December 31 must be seated events. Standing, mingling or dancing is not permitted.
  • Getting together indoors: Indoor personal gatherings are limited to your household plus 10 visitors or 1 other household. Everyone 12 + must be fully vaccinated.
  • Organized events: Organized events require proof of being fully vaccinated to attend. Everyone must wear a mask.
  • Going to a restaurant or pub: Customers must remain seated and cannot move between or visit other tables at restaurants and pubs. Masks are required when not seated at a table.
  • Sports tournaments: All sports tournaments and related travel are not allowed.
  • Large events: Large events with capacity for 1,000 or more people can only use 50% seated capacity.

In addition to the orders, the Public Health Officer strongly recommends:

• • Keep gatherings small and only with those you know are fully vaccinated
  • Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor
  • Reduce social interactions
  • Ensure proper ventilation indoors by opening windows
  • Avoid all travel, if you’re not fully vaccinated
  • Follow the current federal travel advisory
  • Stay home if you feel sick

For more information and updates on the current restrictions please follow the Government of British Columbia Website. 

The Public Health Agency of Canada is advising travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, to avoid non-essential travel internationally.

Do not travel if you:

• • have symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild
  • are in quarantine or isolation
  • have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • are waiting for the results of a lab test for COVID-19
  • have been in close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19

If you are well and must travel:

• • check for COVID-19 testing, vaccination requirements, as well as other entry requirements for your destination. Information on these requirements can be found on the Entry/exit requirements tab of your destination’s Travel Advice and Advisories page
  • ensure you will be able to obtain a COVID-19 molecular test in order to meet Canada’s testing requirements to return to Canada
  • frequently monitor and review Canada’s travel requirements and exemptions for your return
  • find the contact information for the Canadian embassy or consulate closest to your destination and keep the information with you, in case:
    • there is an unforeseen lockdown, or
    • local health services become overwhelmed
  • consider the availability and potentially high cost of adequate medical services in your destination, should you become ill
  • check with your travel insurance provider and make sure you’re covered for:
    • COVID-19-related medical expenses
    • other non-COVID-19 emergency-related expenses
    • trip interruption
  • make sure you meet the requirements to board a flight in Canada, if flying
  • plan for delays to your return home, including the financial implications and the practical arrangements (e.g. flight re-booking, extended accommodations at the destination etc.) you may need to make

VGC Students who wish to travel over the Christmas break should avoid leisure trips (e.g. to the USA) over the holidays, unless the trip is non-essential.

For more information on the current travel advisory related to the Omicron- SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern please refer to the Federal Government Update. 

Starting November 30, the Government of Canada will be accepting Covaxin, Sinopharm, and Sinovac as approved vaccines for entry into Canada. Students who received a full course of one of these vaccines 14 days prior to their tip will no longer need to quarantine.

As of January 15, 2022, international students who are 18 years and older will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated with one of the approved vaccines. After this measure comes into effect, unvaccinated travellers or travellers who do not fall under an exemption will be prohibited from entering Canada.

Follow all updates on the Government of Canada Website. 

Canada is launching a standard federal proof of Covid-19 vaccination system. The federal vaccine passport will show your name, date of birth, and Covid-19 vaccine history — including which doses you got, and when you got them.

Effective October 31st, everyone 12 years of age or older will need to be fully vaccinated in order to board domestic or international flights departing from most Canadian airports , cruise ships or VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains.

There will be a one-month grave period in which BC’s vaccine card will be accepted as proof of vaccination for travel. After November 30 the federal vaccine passport must be used.