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.

By order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), proof of vaccination is required to access some events, services and businesses. Starting September 13th, individuals in British Columbia will be required to show proof of at least their first vaccine in order to access events, services and businesses. By October 24th individuals must show proof that they are double vaccinated.

How to get your BC Vaccine Card

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.