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Guidance for Tourism Operators: Travel to Nova Scotia

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

*Please note: this information is accurate as of August 24, 2021. Travel restrictions and public health guidelines are subject to change. 

Please visit https://tourismns.ca/covid-19-updates-and-resources for the latest information.


Who can come to Nova Scotia without isolating? 

  • Residents of Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador who have only traveled within those provinces.
    • No self-isolation requirements
    • No vaccine requirements
    • No Safe Check-in Form required 
    • Must have identification confirming residence in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Residents of any Canadian province or territory outside of Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador with two doses of vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in Nova Scotia. Note: As of August 25th, this includes New Brunswick.
    • No self-isolation requirements
    • Testing is recommended but not required
    • Safe Check-in Form is required - https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en 
    • Approval is often automatic on the condition that you upload proof of vaccination. 
    • You must also have your Safe Check-in confirmation and proof of vaccination to show border officials if asked.  
    • Children under the age of 19 follow the same protocols as the least vaccinated adult in the group (unless they are traveling alone, in which case they isolate based on their own vaccination status). 
  • People who have completed a 14-day quarantine, or have spent at least the last 14 days in Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador
    • No self-isolation requirements
    • No vaccine requirements
    • No Safe Check-in Form required 
    • Some form of proof that you completed your isolation, such as hotel bill or gas/food receipts is required

Who can come to Nova Scotia and still needs to isolate?

  • People coming from provinces and territories outside of Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador with one dose of vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in Nova Scotia, or who received their second dose of vaccine less than 14 days before arrival.
    • Self-isolation for at least seven days and cannot leave isolation until they get two negative tests results while in Nova Scotia; tests should be on day one or two and on day five or six
    • Safe Check-in Form is required - https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en You must also have your Safe Check-in confirmation and proof of vaccination to show border officials if asked.
    • Children under the age of 19 follow the same protocols as the least vaccinated adult in the group (unless they are traveling alone, in which case they isolate based on their own vaccination status).  
  • People coming from provinces and territories outside of Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador with one dose of vaccine less than 14 days OR no doses of vaccine before arriving in Nova Scotia
    • Self-isolation for 14 days
    • Testing at the beginning and end of their isolation continues to be recommended.
    • Safe Check-in Form is required - https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en 
    • Children under the age of 19 follow the same protocols as the least vaccinated adult in the group.

What are the requirements for international travellers who are permitted to enter Canada?

  • Effective July 5, 2021, all international travellers who are permitted to enter Canada can also enter Nova Scotia. 
  • People who are permitted to enter must follow the federal requirements:
    • International travellers who were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arriving in Canada do not have to quarantine. 
      • They must still meet other federal requirements including pre- and on-arrival testing. 
    • All other international travellers must quarantine at their point of entry until they have received a negative test result. Then they can come to Nova Scotia where they complete the remainder of their 14-day quarantine. 
      • The federal government requires a second negative test result to stop isolating after 14 days
    • International travellers who complete their 14 days of quarantine outside Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador become domestic travellers. They follow the rules for people coming from a province or territory outside Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • In addition to federal processes, international travellers need to complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form - https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en 
  • Find out who can enter Canada here: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start 

Testing Requirements

  • Testing is available in Halifax and Sydney airports for people arriving by air. In Halifax, take-home PCR tests are available for people who are required to have one (specialized, rotational workers, people with 1 dose of vaccine who want to stop isolating after 7 days). Take-home rapid tests are available for other travellers. In Sydney, only PCR tests are available.
  • Visitors requiring testing based on their vaccination status can book a test online. Only call 811 if you can’t book online.
  • In addition, there are pop-up sites in different locations around the province. Because they use rapid tests, the age limit is 16 and over at these sites. Only people with no symptoms can use pop-up sites. See locations here.
  • The Nova Scotia Health Authority does not do asymptomatic testing for travel purposes. If your destination requires a negative test result, contact PRAXES and Switchhealth for information about their testing services.

Guidelines for Children under the age of 19

  • If a group, such as a family, is entering the province together and staying together in Nova Scotia, each adult needs their own Safe Check-in form and children under the age of 19 are to be included on the form of the least vaccinated adult in the group. 
    • They can all stay in the same place and interact with each other.
      • For example, if a family arrives together and the father is fully vaccinated 14 days before arriving but the mother has no vaccination, the father is able to come and go while the mother and children isolate for 14 days. The children should be included on the mother’s Safe Check-in form.
  • If a child is 16 or older and traveling alone, they complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form for themselves (or a parent completes it in the child’s name) and they need to upload the child’s proof of vaccination status. Isolation is based on the child’s vaccination status and testing.
  • If a child under the age of 16 is traveling alone, then the parent or adult who is picking up the child when they arrive in Nova Scotia needs to complete the form for the child. They complete the form in their own name (even though the adult is not traveling) and add the child to their form. They need to upload proof of the child’s vaccination status. The child’s isolation is based on their own vaccination status and testing.
  • If an adult or child is traveling for child custody reasons, they need to follow the child custody protocol: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Protocol-for-child-custody-en.pdf 

Information for Travellers

Information for Tourism Businesses