COVID-19 travel restrictions

Travellers entering Alberta from outside Canada

All non-exempt travellers returning to or entering Alberta from outside Canada by air or land border crossing are legally required to follow provincial and federal requirements.

• Several categories of people are exempted from travel restrictions if they have no symptoms.
• The Canada/U.S. border remains closed to non-essential travel.

When you arrive

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

• stop at the provincial checkpoint for screening:
  • submit a questionnaire detailing your mandatory 14-day isolation plan
  • undergo a touch-free temperature check
  • disclose any COVID-19 symptoms
• provide the Government of Canada basic information using the traveller contact information form, available through the ArriveCAN mobile app
• 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 fines.

Complete the isolation questionnaire

All travellers entering Alberta from outside Canada must complete a provincial isolation questionnaire to demonstrate they have appropriate plans and the necessary supports in place to isolate for 14 days.

You must submit a provincial isolation questionnaire at the provincial checkpoint after clearing customs. The questionnaire can be completed in advance online:

• Provincial isolation questionnaire (English)
• Provincial isolation questionnaire (French)

Officials will review the completed questionnaire with you at the provincial checkpoints.

• Once you submit your completed isolation plan, you must go directly home or to the place where you will be isolating and must remain there for the duration of the 14-day isolation period.
• If you require extra assistance to complete your isolation plan, officials will support you to meet the isolation requirements.

Prepare for isolation before you arrive

Prepare for your isolation well before you get to Alberta. Once you get here, you must go straight home and are not allowed to leave the house. Consider:

• 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)

After you arrive

Provincial officials from the Returning Traveller Outreach Program will contact arriving travellers within 3 days to:

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

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

Passengers on flights with confirmed cases

Albertans should monitor their air travel for flights with confirmed COVID-19 cases, even if the flight was within Canada. Flights that have confirmed cases and the affected seats are posted online by the Government of Canada.

If you recently returned from a flight:

• Check the federal list of affected flights for updates
  • All passengers from international flights are legally required to isolate for 14 days.
  • Passengers in affected seats from domestic flights are considered close contacts and are at risk of exposure. You are legally required to isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
• Monitor for symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat.
  • If you become sick during this time, you must isolate for at least 10 additional days from the beginning of symptoms or until you are feeling well, whichever takes longer.

Travel within Alberta

Responsible travel within Alberta is permitted, including to second homes, vacation homes, hotel/commercial accommodations, campgrounds, and national and provincial parks.

If you travel in Alberta:

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

Travel between provinces

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

Departing international travellers

An official global travel advisory is in effect. Avoid non-essential travel outside Canada and all cruise ship travel.

Industry exemptions

Travel restriction exemptions are assessed on a case-by-case basis based on measures industries have taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

At this time, the following professions have approved exemptions:

• pilots
• flight attendants
• commercial carriers
• select industry sectors
• worksites with quality of life exemptions

Enforcement

If you fail to follow this public health order to isolate, you may be subject to a $1,000 fine. Courts could administer fines of up to $100,000 for a first offence and up to $500,000 for a subsequent offence for more serious violations.

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 related to gathering restrictions or physical distancing can also be reported to your local police force through their administrative phone line.