A recent Canadian Government Order in Council states that travel restrictions on coronavirus travel will be extended until October 31. The decision was taken in the wake of an increase in coronavirus caseloads.
Canada’s borders were closed initially from March 18 to June 30. Travel limitations have been carried out on a monthly basis since then.
For non-essential purposes, such as tourism, or entertainment, the border is closed to international travellers who come to Canada.
Some persons are excluded from restrictions on travel, such as:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents (including dual citizens);
- Individuals who have been approved for permanent Canadian residence;
- Certain temporary foreign workers;
- Certain foreign pupils
- Protected persons.
- Instant family members of Canadians; or
- Anyone else who falls under the exemptions on the website of the government.
Anyone crossing the Canadian border is also expected to be in quarantine for 14 days. The only exemptions to the provision for compulsory quarantine are:
- Members of the crew;
- Individuals invited by the Minister of Health to assist with the COVID-19 response and other health workers;
- Visiting force members who are coming to work;
- Individuals who come to obtain medical care within 36 hours of arrival;
- Border crossing in a trans-border community;
- People who cross into Canada on a “vessel” for research purposes as long as they remain on the vessel; and
- Other situations referred to in the Council Order.
Canada has a separate order in effect that has since March also prohibited cross-border travel between it and the U.S. However, earlier this month, this order also extended again.
In view of the increasing COVID-19 cases in Canada and abroad, the decision to expand Canada’s travel restrictions is no surprise.
Canada’s coronavirus cases curve was able to flatten successfully during late May till August. Since late August, however, COVID-19 cases have been steadily growing.
Ontario and Quebec, Canada’s largest provinces have revealed more stringent steps in recent days. These steps try to minimise the considerably higher levels of COVID-19 cases they have encountered over the past month.
Canada continues to issue new permanent residence invitations amid this global pandemic. These invitations have been issued to individuals both currently living in Canada and abroad. But due to the pandemic, the number of individuals completing their permanent residence landing in Canada is much smaller than average.
Furthermore, the travel restrictions provide that only those who have obtained their permanent residence permit prior to 18 March are currently eligible for travel to Canada.
The ongoing Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws are intended in part to encourage the arrival of immigrants after the pandemic in support of Canada’s economy.
The Canadian government aims to continue welcoming global talent to boost economic growth in the country.
More clarification on the immigration plans of the Canadian government following the pandemic will be provided by two significant events in October.
Throughout the pandemic, Canada’s immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, has made a number of remarks implying that immigration would be vital to the economic recovery of Canada.
