1. SEAFARER VACCINATIONS IN CANADA

Please click HERE for information on how foreign seafarers calling Canadian ports can obtain COVID-19 vaccinations. 

2. FEDERAL BORDER REQUIREMENTS AND QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS

The Canadian border has been gradually re-opened to non-essential travellers: 

• As of August 9, 2021, American citizens (and permanent residents currently residing in the US) who have been fully vaccinated by a government-approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival are permitted to enter Canada for non-essential travel. 
• As of September 7, 2021, above has been extended to fully-vaccinated travellers from other countries.

A number of additional changes also came into effect as of August 9, 2021:

• Fully vaccinated travellers do NOT need a post-arrival COVID-19 test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a test upon arrival. However, all travellers still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result regardless of vacination status, There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
• The three-night government authorized hotel stay requirement is eliminated for all travellers arriving by air.
• Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine requirements.  However, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.
• The previous measures limiting international passenger flights to four Canadian airports (Montreal, toronto, Calgary and Vancouver) have been expanded to include the following five additional Canadian airports:
  -     Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
  -     Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport;
  -     Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport;
  -     Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport;
  -     Edmonton International Airport
• Note:  Direct flights to Canada from India continue to be suspended - current prohibition has been extended until September 21, 2021
  
  

How do these changes impact incoming crew members and marine workers?

• Crew members and marine workers travelling to Canada to work on board ships continue to be viewed as essential workers who are important for the movement of goods or people.  As such, they continue to be exempt from all current prohibitions, including entry bans, quarantine requirements and pre/post-arrival Covid testing.
• Nevertheless, it is important that they carry the appropriate travel documents and supporting paperwork, including a letter from the Canadian agent or shipowner confirming their employment on board the ship and outlinin the essential nature of the work they will be doing in relation to the ship or its cargo.  Click HERE for additional information.
• For additional information on crew and marine worker exemptions,click HERE  (scroll down to "Group Exemptions under 6e of the federal emergency order). For a list of essential workers compiled by the federal government, click HERE.

• In the field entitled "reason for travel," select "Other" from the dropdown menu - then enter COVID-19 (exactly as written here)

Although applicants will receive an automatically-generated "Biometrics Instruction Letter" following submission of their application, IRCC has provided the following additional guidance:

• If a crew member resides in an area where the Visa Application Centre (VAC) is open, they should schedule an appointment to enrol their biometrics as per the instructions in the letter.
• If a crew member resides in an area where the VAC is closed as a result of COVID-19, they should wait to hear from IRCC with respect to next steps, as the biometrics requirement will likely be waived in such cases (assuming no "red flags" in the applicant's file).

If an applicant has not received information about their application after 5 business days, they should contact IRCC's Travel Exemptions inbox to request an update (IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca - Inquiries must be made by the individual who submitted the initial application

Please click HERE for Transport Canada's guidance document on this issue.

Additional Note - 72 hour exit requirement for off-signing crew members

• CBSA officers will grant extensions to the requirement that discharged crew members leave Canada within 72 hours on a case-by-case basis, based on the exit plans presented and in consideration of COVID-related challenges of booking outbound flights, etc.
• Crew members who expect to remain in Canada well beyond 72 hours after being discharged can apply to extend their stay in Canada by obtaining a visitor record.

Transport Canada has issued updated guidance allowing asymptomatic, presumed non-COVID-19 carrying crew members:

• Shore leave can be taken for a maximum of six hours.
  
  
• No restrictions on where shore leave can occur, subject to the advice of the crew members's employer, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and local health authorities.
  
  
• For additional information, see updated Ship Safety Bulletin 11/2021 issued on July 27, 2021.

 6.  CRUISE SHIP RESTRICTIONS

Canadian Waters South of 60th Parallel:

Updated Rule:  Vessels with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons (passengers and crew) prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2021.

• Exception:  A foreign vessel that is in the territorial seas of Canada exercising the "right of innocent passage" (transiting without stopping) in accordance with international law.
• Exception: A foreign vessel that is transiting the Great Lakes, Inside Passage, St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence Gulf or St. Lawrence Seaway (and does not moor, anchor or berth beyond what is necessary for ordinary navigation).
• NEW Additional exceptions (all subject to 60 days notice before expected arrival date in Canadian waters): A vessel navigating in Canadian waters for purpose of repair; a vessel requiring the exemption in order to allow for viable, effective and economical marine transportation or commerce; a vessel for which it is not practical to comply with the prohibition under the circumstances. For additional details, click HERE.

Canadian Waters North of 60th Parallel:

Updated Rule:  Vessels that are certified to carry more than 12 passengers prohibited from entering Canadian Arctic waters (waters north of the 60th parallel and the territorial sea in the vicinity of Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador coast) until October 31, 2021.

• Exception:  A vessel exercising its right of innocent passage, provided such vessel has submitted written notice to the Minister of Transport 60 days before its expected date of arrival in the above waters.
  
  

Rule: Other vessels (e.g. small cruise ships under 100 person capacity and tour boats) are permitted to operate subject to restrictions from their provincial, territorial, or local health authority. 

• Above vessels are still subject to border restrictions prohibiting certain foreign nationals from entering Canada for leisure purposes.  This includes entries into Canadian territorial and inland waters which do not include landing on Canadian soil(touring, sightseeing, whale w atching, etc.).
• Please see this CBSA Fact-Sheet for additional information

Rule:  Essential passenger vessels and ferry vessels can continue to operate, provided they have mitigation measures in place to reduce to the spread of COVID-19.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please see the following for additional information:

• Interim Order No. 4 Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions (issued October 30, 2020) - New order not yet published
• NEW  Transport Canada news release on lifting of cruise ship ban as of November 1, 2021
  
  

UNITED STATES:

The Centres for Disease Control has issued a "Framework for Conditional Sailing Order for Cruise Ships," which introduces a phased approach for resuming cruise ship activity in US waters.  The framework will remain in effect until November 1, 2021.

On May 5, 2021, CDC released the next two phases of the Framework and published technical instructions for cruise ship operators preparing to conduct simulated (“trial”) voyages in advance of restricted passenger voyages under a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate.

For more information, please see this LINK.

The Shipping Federation of Canada's Covid-19 Resource Centre is designed to provide marine stakeholders with information specific to their sector in response to the continually evolving COVID-19 situation.  We are liaising with key authorities to ensure the delivery of streamlined information and timely updates on protocols and practices.

We urge members to take the appropriate steps to contain the spread of COVID-19, preserve the health of their teams and take practical protective measures against the virus. 

DISCLAIMER: Although we will endeavour to update this webpage as often as possible, information issued directly by Canadian authorities and other entities interacting with vessels remains the official source to ensure compliance.