See the latest COVID-19 programs, resources and supports for tourism businesses. Any changes or additions to programs or resources will be added to this document as necessary. However, we encourage you to visit program pages directly for eligibility and application details.

Travel from outside Canada (International):

The Government of Canada has temporarily restricted non-essential travel to the country to Canadians and permanent residents, with some exceptions.

All international passenger flight arrivals have been redirected to 1 of 4 airports:

• Calgary International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport
• Toronto’s Pearson International Airport
• Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

Please visit www.travel.gc.ca for more information. Be sure to check the site frequently, as conditions may change quickly.

All travellers to Canada are required to have adequate self-isolation plans unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order. This is mandatory at all Canadian border crossings and airports. Those with inadequate self-isolation plans will be required to self-isolate for two weeks in a quarantine location, like a hotel. See the Government of Canada guidelines.

All travellers are encouraged to submit the required information through ArriveCAN by using the mobile app or by signing in online before they arrive to avoid additional delays for public health questioning and to limit points of contact at the border.

Effective November 21, 2020, air travellers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. During their quarantine or isolation period, all travellers to Canada regardless of mode of travel, will also be required to submit information through ArriveCAN or by calling the 1-833-641-0343 toll-free number.

Further information is available here.

Temporary border restrictions and measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern

Coming soon: Fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air or land, who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada, will all be subject to arrival testing and enhanced public health measures. Travellers arriving by air may take connecting flights to their place of quarantine.

News release

In effect: Travellers who have been in the following countries within 14 days prior to arrival in Canada: Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

• Foreign nationals are not permitted entry into Canada
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, people with status under the Indian Act, are subject to enhanced pre-entry and arrival testing, screening, and quarantine measures
• Travellers (fully vaccinated and unvaccinated) are required to stay at a designated quarantine facility while they await their arrival test result

Travel from within Canada but outside Atlantic Canada (Domestic):

People travelling from outside Atlantic Canada for non-essential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days when they arrive in Nova Scotia. Everyone in the home where they are self-isolating will have to self-isolate as well. Nobody in that home can leave the property for 14 days and they cannot have visitors. 

If they have already self-isolated in another Atlantic Canadian province, they may enter Nova Scotia without self-isolating again

Every adult (age 18 or older) arriving from outside Atlantic Canada needs to complete a Safe Check-in Form before they travel to the province. You can complete and submit the Safe Check-in Form online here: https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/

When you arrive in Nova Scotia you need show that you submitted the form by providing the confirmation email you receive after submitting the form online. You also need to provide government-issued identification (like a Drivers Licence or Health Card) or a utility bill or bank statement that shows your permanent home address. 

You can print and complete the Safe Check-in Form if you're unable to submit online. A paper copy of the Safe Check-in Form is also available at entry points to Nova Scotia for people who don't have access to the form online. 

People travelling from outside Atlantic Canada also need to follow public health directives while they're in Nova Scotia. 

There has been no date set for the removal of the 14-day self-isolation requirement. As the situation continues to evolve, all end-dates for restrictions are considered fluid and could be lifted or extended at any time.

Travel within the Atlantic Provinces (Regional)

Effective November 23, the Council of Atlantic Premiers have recommended caution regarding non-essential travel within the Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador). Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador have also adopted additional measures. Please visit the below websites for the latest information

• Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/covid-19
• Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/ 

Residents of the four Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador) are permitted to travel to and within Nova Scotia without the requirement to isolate.

• If people show proof that their permanent home is in Atlantic Canada, they will not have to self-isolate for 14 days when entering Nova Scotia. Every adult will need to show either a drivers' licence, government identification card, health card, or a utility bill or bank statement with a valid Atlantic Canadian address to provincial officials at airports, ferries or the land border when they arrive in the province. A self-declaration form is not required for Atlantic Canadians to enter Nova Scotia. 
• Atlantic Canadians also need to follow public health directives while they're in Nova Scotia.

Effective July 31, 2020, non-medical masks will be mandatory in the following indoor public places in Nova Scotia:

• retail businesses
• shopping centres
• personal services businesses such as a hair and nail salons, spas, body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask
• restaurants and bars, except while you are eating or drinking
• places of worship or faith gatherings
• places for cultural or entertainment services or activities such as movie theatres, concerts, and other performances
• places for sports and recreational activities such as a gym, pool, or indoor tennis facility, except during an activity where a mask cannot be worn
• places for events such as conferences and receptions
• municipal or provincial government locations offering services to the public
• common areas of tourist accommodations such as lobbies, elevators and hallways
• common areas of office buildings such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices
• public areas of a university or college campus such as library, student union building or common areas of a faculty building, but not classrooms, labs, offices or residences
• train or bus stations, ferry terminals, and airports

Businesses, workplaces, and other owners with public places can develop their own policies and procedures. They can choose to refuse entry or service to people who are not following the rules.

Effective April 20, 2020, all air passengers are required to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel to and from Canadian airports.

Passengers travelling by rail, motor carrier/bus or marine transportation are also strongly encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings as much as possible.  See the measures from Transport Canada

The Government of Canada has deferred the start of the cruise ship season in Canada to February 28, 2021 at the earliest. See the news release from Transport Canada.

As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels can resume operations, provided they follow provincial protocols. See the news release from Transport Canada.

When travelling by marine modes of transportation, travellers are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings whenever possible. See the measures from Transport Canada.

Business and service restrictions are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The latest restriction updates can be found here: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates/

Businesses, organizations and health professions that were required to close under the Health Protection Act Order can reopen if they follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plans. They also need to have a Workplace COVID-19 Prevention Plan.