Ban on Entry from the United States

Summary#

This is an Order in Council under the Quarantine Act that continues to restrict most foreign nationals from entering Canada from the United States. The order was made on July 20, 2020 and is in force from July 20, 2020 (11:59:59 p.m. EDT) until August 21, 2020 (11:59:59 p.m. EDT).

What it does#

• Reinforces the existing order called Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States) and repeals the previous version (P.C. 2020-469).
• Prohibits a foreign national from entering Canada from the United States if they:
  • have COVID-19 or show symptoms such as a fever with cough or breathing difficulties, or
  • are coming for an optional or discretionary purpose (for example, tourism, recreation, entertainment), or
  • cannot meet the 14-day quarantine requirement under the companion order (Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 3).
• Allows exceptions, including:
  • immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who plan to stay in Canada for at least 15 days,
  • certain people making refugee claims at designated land ports under specified conditions,
  • people registered under the Indian Act, protected persons under immigration law, and others specifically listed (for example, some transit passengers).
• Makes clear that even exempted travellers may be denied entry if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Notes penalties for breaking the order: up to $1,000,000 fine or imprisonment for three years, or both.

Who's affected#

• Foreign nationals in the United States who would normally travel to Canada for tourism or other discretionary reasons.
• Immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who plan short stays (those who meet the 15-day intent rule).
• People trying to make refugee claims at Canadian land ports from the U.S., subject to rules and exceptions.
• Indigenous peoples registered under the Indian Act, protected persons, some transit passengers and people cleared by the Chief Public Health Officer are not covered by the prohibition.
• Border and immigration agencies handling crossings, such as the Canada Border Services Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, will apply the order.

Why it matters#

• The order is part of Canada’s effort to reduce new COVID-19 cases coming from travel across the U.S.–Canada border.
• For ordinary travellers, it means most non-Canadians in the U.S. cannot enter Canada for leisure or short discretionary visits until August 21, 2020.
• Families and people with essential reasons to travel should check the specified exceptions carefully; some categories are allowed but may still face health screening and quarantine rules.
• Breaking the order can lead to large fines or jail time, so travellers and border workers need to follow it and the related quarantine/isolation requirements.