International border pilot project

Eligible international travellers returning to Alberta may be able to participate in a pilot program that is safely testing reduced quarantine periods. Find out more.

International travel

Departures

An official global travel advisory remains in effect. Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.

Arrivals

All non-exempt travellers returning to or entering Alberta from outside Canada are legally required to follow provincial and federal travel restrictions upon arrival.

Travellers must:

  • Prepare for quarantine (isolation) before you arrive

    Once you get to Alberta, you must go straight home and are not allowed to leave the property.

    Consider the following before you arrive:

    • the location of your 14-day isolation
    • how you will travel to your isolation location
    • how you will avoid close contact with people in your household, especially seniors and people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems
    • how you will get necessary supplies and supports (food, medication, cleaning supplies, child care and pet care)
    • social or family support (you can’t visit anyone or have visitors while in mandatory isolation)
  • What to do when you arrive

    When you arrive in Alberta by land or air from an international destination, you must:

    • provide the Government of Canada basic information using the traveller contact information form, available through the ArriveCAN mobile app
    • disclose any COVID-19 symptoms
    • travel directly to your isolation location
      • if you do not comply with mandatory isolation requirements there are a number of enforcement measures in place, including issuing tickets and fines

    All travellers entering Alberta from outside Canada must have appropriate plans and the necessary supports in place to isolate for 14 days. Travellers will need to disclose this information to CBSA officers.

    • Prepare for your isolation well before you get to Alberta. Once you get here, you must go straight to your accommodation or home and you are not allowed to leave the premises.
  • After you arrive

    Provincial officials from the Returning Traveller Outreach Program will contact arriving travellers within 7 days to:

    • confirm you are following mandatory isolation requirements
    • answer questions from travellers related to mandatory isolation
    • share information on relevant supports

    Travellers are encouraged to download and use the voluntary ABTraceTogether mobile contact tracing app.

Travel within Canada

Outside Alberta

Travellers to other provinces or territories may be subject to additional restrictions and health measures at their final destination. Please check with local authorities before leaving Alberta.

Inside Alberta

Responsible travel within Alberta is permitted:

  • follow physical distancing and gathering restrictions
  • take all necessary precautions to protect your health and the health of others
  • download and use the mobile contact tracing app while out in public

Flights with confirmed cases

Recent passengers on domestic and international airlines should monitor the Government of Canada list of flights that have confirmed COVID-19 cases and follow instructions if affected.

Industry exemptions

Travel restriction exemptions are available for specific sectors to download and use. If your industry is not represented, exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis using a submission checklist (PDF, 48 KB) that outlines the required information for efficient reviews.

At this time, the following professions have approved exemptions:

  • pilots
  • flight attendants
  • commercial carriers
  • select industry sectors
  • approved worksites granted a Quality of Life exemption, which can be applied for through the case-by-case review process/submission checklist

Compassionate exemptions

The federal government has recently launched a compassionate exemption online application process for critical visitation, critical support and end of life ceremonies

Once you receive federal approval, you qualify for a provincial compassionate exemption. There are some requirements to follow in the exemption as well as information on how to use it.

There are two types of compassionate exemptions, one for critical and end of life visitation and one for attendance at a celebration of life or funeral.

  1. Compassionate exemption for the purposes of being present during the final moments of life for a loved one or to support someone who is critically ill.
  2. Attendance at a funeral service or end of life ceremony.

Enforcement

If you fail to follow this public health order to isolate, you may be subject to a $1,000 fine.

If you are concerned someone is not following public health orders, you can:

  • remind the person that not following public health orders is against the law and puts people at risk
  • submit a complaint to Alberta Health Services public health inspectors online or leave a message at 1-833-415-9179

Submit a violation complaint

Complaints that require an immediate response can also be reported to your local police force through their administrative phone line.

Related