Everything you need to know about travel as a B.C. resident

As COVID-19 travel restrictions ease in British Columbia, it might be hard to keep track of what remains in place.

Here’s a breakdown of what rules are in effect and what ones will be lifted in the coming days and weeks:

Can B.C. residents travel throughout the province? 

Intraprovincial travel is now allowed; British Columbians can take vacations, weekend getaways, visit family and friends and travel for recreation within B.C.

Are B.C. residents allowed to visit other provinces? 

British Columbians will be allowed to visit other provinces July 1 at the earliest, according to the province's restart plan. 

Do I have to quarantine if travelling from another province for essential reasons?

You do not need to self-quarantine when entering B.C. but you must follow the same provincewide restrictions as everyone in B.C. 

What about quarantining upon returning to Canada?

Fully vaccinated Canadians returning to Canada will soon be able to avoid a mandatory quarantine as long as they still test negative for COVID-19. 

Canada's border was closed in March 2020 to non-Canadians, with limited exemptions for foreign nationals entering for essential purposes such as truck drivers or health-care workers. Canadians, permanent residents and people registered under the Indian Act, have always been allowed to return to Canada but were required to quarantine at home for two weeks. In February, air travellers were required to start spending up to three days at the start of that quarantine at a government-approved hotel, until a COVID-19 test came back negative.

Starting at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 5, both air and land travellers who are currently allowed to return to Canada, and who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks, and show negative tests before and after arriving, won't have to quarantine at all.

Who else qualifies to come to Canada on July 5?

According to the Government of Canada, foreign nationals reuniting with family, foreign workers, international students, and Canadians returning after a compassionate visit abroad. 

What are the requirements before I get to the Canadian border?

You must be fully vaccinated, have a quarantine plan, pre-register for your arrival test, have a negative test 72 hours before you arrive and fill out the ArriveCAN documents. 

What do I need to do once I am at the border?

You must provide proof of vaccination, answer a screening question, complete your arrival test or have an at-home test kit and have no symptoms. 

What happens once I am back home in Canada?

If you met all the requirements above, you are exempt from quarantine, a government-authorized hotel (if arriving by air) and the day-eight test. If you received a test kit, you must complete it and send it to the lab. You’ll also need to keep proof of vaccination for 14 days.

What happens if I don't meet all the requirements?

You will be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel (if arriving by air) to await the results of your arrival test before continuing on to your place of quarantine; complete a two-week quarantine; and complete a second test on day eight of your quarantine.

I want to learn more. Where can I find more information?

Visit travel.gc.ca/travel-covid.

More details about border restrictions possibly loosening is expected in the coming weeks. 

With files from the Canadian Press