Travellers To Canada Will Soon Be Required To Use The ArriveCAN App
Travellers to Canada will soon be mandated to use the ArriveCAN app as part of efforts to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
This free app was launched in April 2020, in an effort to help travellers comply with border measures, a government official said in a media briefing. It is available as a mobile app, or by signing in on the application online.
Here is what you need to know before and after coming to Canada.
Before Arriving at the border
Starting from Nov. 21, air travellers whose last destination is Canada must lodge their information through ArriveCAN app before boarding. This includes travel and contact details, quarantine plan (unless they are exempted), and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.
Travellers will need to present their ArriveCan receipt when entering Canada. Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers will confirm that travellers have lodged their information digitally.
Individuals who fail to comply could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to a $1,000 fine.
Exceptions may be provided to those who are not able to lodge their documents due to personal circumstances such as having disability issues or inadequate infrastructure.
Starting from November 4, air travellers will be reminded by their air carrier that they will be required to lodge COVID-related information digitally via ArriveCAN before boarding their flight to Canada.
Beginning immediately, travellers planning to enter Canada by land or marine are strongly advised to use ArriveCAN before they arrive to avoid delays and to limit points of contact when they get to the border. They can also present their ArriveCAN receipt to an immigration services officer when they seek to enter Canada.
After arriving to Canada
As of Nov. 21, 2020, all travellers who enter Canada by land, or marine or air will be required to add their details through ArriveCAN or by calling the following toll-free numbers: 1-833-641-0343 during their quarantine period. Those exempted under the Mandatory Isolation Order don’t have to complete this procedure.
Within forty-eight (48) hours of arriving to Canada, travelers must confirm they have arrived at their place of quarantine and they must also complete a daily coronavirus symptom self-assessment during the quarantine period.
Travelers who do not use ArriveCAN to lodge their information before arriving in Canada will be required to call the 1-833-641-0343 toll-free number on a daily basis during the quarantine period to provide their information and status. They will not be able to use ArriveCAN App.
Travelers will be given a high priority for follow up by Canadian law enforcement if they do not lodge their mandatory information.
The purpose of these measures is to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease, delays at the border, and physical contact between travelers, border officers, and any other government officials.
Unless one falls under an exemption, all travelers to Canada are required by law to complete a fourteen (14)-day quarantine period.
The government of Canada stressed in today’s news release that ArriveCAN respects traveler’s privacy and does not contain a GPS to track the movements of travelers.
Travelers are also offered dedicated lanes for ArriveCAN users at airports in Toronto (Pearson), Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal to speed up processing upon arrival.
