COVID-19 Pandemic Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) Program

Before you leave your home, make sure you have the following:

• a cellphone that will work when you arrive in Canada. (confirm with your current cellphone provider). 
• downloaded the ArriveCAN app to your phone and register your arrival plans.  You will be required to register your flight information, contacts, quarantine plan and complete a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment on the ArriveCan before bordering the plane. Failure to do so may result in you not being able to board the plane, possible fines and/or not being allowed to enter Canada.
  
  For more information see the IRCC website.      

You must review the following:

• The Government of Canada’s Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada (IRCC): travel exemptions and restrictions for international students
• The Government of Canada’s Travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada
• The Government of Canada’s Quarantine Act 
• Government of Canada’s requirements for a 14 day quarantine period for travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 entering Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada’s COVID-19 Guidelines for Quarantine.
• Public Health Ontario’s “How to Self-Isolate” guide for COVID-19
• Government of Canada’s COVID-19 self-assessment tool

Air Travel

It is important to acknowledge that air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic comes with a high risk of contracting and spreading the virus. Most commonly, the virus spreads from an infected person to another through the following:

• Close contact: Breathing in someone's respiratory droplets after they cough, sneeze, laugh or sing.
• Contaminated surfaces: Touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands.
• Common greetings: Handshakes, hugs or kisses. (Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html)

COVID-19 Testing Required for People Flying into Canada 

Starting January 7, 2021,  air travellers 5 years of age or older will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to the airline prior to boarding international flights bound for Canada. See the news release for air travellers.

Documentation of a negative laboratory test result must be presented to the airline prior to boarding a flight to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure to Canada.

Anyone who receives a negative test result and is authorized to enter Canada must still complete the full, mandatory 14-day quarantine. 

Check with your airline about any requirements that you will need to follow before boarding your flight. Airlines have the right to prevent your boarding of the flight if you show symptoms of COVID-19.

Travel Safely

To travel safely to Laurier from your home country, you must adhere to rigorous hygiene, cleanliness and physical distancing guidelines. While in transit to the airport, in airports and during flights:

• Wear a mask.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Use hand sanitizer when necessary.
• Practice physical distancing (minimum two metres from others).
• Sanitize your personal space and high-touch areas.
• Minimize trips to the washroom.
• Touch as few surfaces as possible.
• Keep your cell phone charged.

Packing Recommendations

In addition to regular packing requirements, please also bring:

• Five to seven reusable face masks. Please try to limit your use of disposable masks.
• Hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes/cloths.
• A thermometer (for monitoring body temperature).

For your carry-on luggage:

• At least two masks.
• A travel sized bottle of hand-sanitizer.
• Disinfecting wipes.

Change Your Face Mask

Once you flight arrives in Canada and you leave the plane, change to a fresh mask and dispose of your old mask carefully. Take care removing your mask and try not to make contact with the front of the old mask. Wash or sanitize your hands. Proceed to Immigration.

IRCC Entry Requirements

For entry to Canada you must meet the following requirements established by IRCC:

• You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
• You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.
• Have documentation of a negative COVID-19 laboratory test taken within 72 hours prior to you departure to Canada.

When You Travel to Canada

Make sure Laurier is on the list of DLIs with COVID-19 readiness plans approved by the province of Ontario. If Laurier is not on the list you will not be able to enter Canada.

When the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• if you either
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine.

You must bring

• your valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
• a valid letter of acceptance from a DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.
• proof that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
• Letter confirming your registration in the Laurier Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) program. 
• Documentation of a negative COVID-19 laboratory test taken within 72 hours prior to you departure to Canada.

Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.

A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.

If Immediate Family Members Want to Be With You in Canada

Your immediate family members may be able to come with you to Canada.

If They Travel With You

They don’t need a written authorization from IRCC to travel with you. However, they must show that their reasons for travel are non-discretionary (non-optional). For example, they’ll help you get established and support you in Canada.

If Your Immediate Family Member Will Study or Work in Canada

You must submit all of your applications together when you apply online.

If They Won’t Study or Work

They may still need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa to travel to Canada.

If they need a visitor visa, you should include their application when you apply online for your study permit.

If they need an eTA, they must apply for one separately. Make sure they follow the special instructions on how to apply for an eTA at this time.

If They Join You Later

If you’re already in Canada, or will travel to Canada by yourself first and your family will join you later, what they need to travel to Canada depends on where they’re travelling from. Find out what they need to join you in Canada. They may also need an eTA or a visitor visa to travel to Canada.

Canada Border Requirements

Laurier cannot guarantee your entry to Canada. A Canada Border Services Agency Officer will make the final decision on whether your reason for travelling to Canada is non-discretionary or non-optional. The Canada Border Services Agency has more information about admittance to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you meet these requirements for entry to Canada, you will be required to present to the Canada Border Services Agency  Officer proof of your reasons for entering Canada.

When you arrive, make sure you have the following documents available in your carry-on luggage to present to the Border Officer when you go through Canadian customs and immigration:

• Passport
• Study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
• A Laurier Letter of Acceptance for first year students or Verification of Enrolment for returning students 
• Letter confirming your registration in the Laurier Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) Program (see below for details)
• Documentation of a negative COVID-19 laboratory test taken within 72 hours prior to you departure to Canada

Once you have been cleared for entry by Immigration, proceed to pick up your luggage while maintaining proper physical distance. Move quickly through the baggage area and the airport to the Airways Transit location. Do not enter any stores in the airport.

• You should not leave your place of quarantine unless it is to seek medical attention.
• You should not have any visitors even if you are outside and stay two metres apart from them.

Recommended during quarantine:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing, or use a tissue.
• Avoid coughing into either your hands or into the air.
• Dispose of used tissues right away into a trash bin and immediately wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Stay in your own room as much as possible and away from others. Do not leave your quarantine room unless there is a medical emergency.
• Keep your room well ventilated and clean, and open your window to let the air circulate.
• Flush the toilet with the lid down.
• Package up your garbage: empty garbage frequently and wash your hands immediately.
• Refer to the COVID-19 laundry policy for washing your clothes.
• Stay connected to friends and family via text, email, video chat, etc.