Maple News reports that Canada has extended its temporary travel restrictions to include Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi, bringing the total number of restricted countries to ten. The decision, announced on November 30, comes in response to growing international concern over the Omicron variant of COVID-19. These countries join seven others from southern Africa—South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique—that were already under enhanced restrictions.
Foreign nationals who have recently (past 14 days) traveled through any of these countries are now barred from entering Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been in these listed nations must present a negative PCR test taken in a third country before boarding their flight to Canada. This requirement applies regardless of vaccination status.
Upon arrival, travelers who have visited the impacted countries must undergo a COVID-19 test at the border and enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine, with an additional test conducted on the eighth day. Those arriving by air will be required to stay in a government-approved quarantine facility while awaiting test results. If arriving by land and without a suitable quarantine plan, travelers will also be transferred to a designated facility.
Health Canada will intensify monitoring travelers who have entered Canada from these countries over the past two weeks, urging them to get tested and self-isolate while awaiting results. Authorities will also scrutinize quarantine plans more closely to ensure compliance with federal public health guidelines.
Additionally, all air travelers entering Canada—excluding those arriving from the U.S.—must undergo on-arrival testing and isolate until a negative result is confirmed. These requirements apply to all travelers, including fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The government has stated it is evaluating whether to extend these measures to air and land travelers from the United States.
Beginning November 30, full vaccination is mandatory for domestic and international travel within or out of Canada. Molecular tests are no longer accepted as a substitute, except for travelers who are medically exempt. However, Canadian citizens or permanent residents returning from trips under 72 hours are exempt from providing a pre-entry COVID-19 test.
All travelers must continue to submit their travel and quarantine details through Canada’s ArriveCAN app or the official website prior to entry.
These enhanced safeguards come as Canada confirms several cases of the Omicron variant, now classified by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern with a high global risk. While the exact effects on transmissibility, vaccine resistance, and severity are still under investigation, health authorities are acting swiftly to contain its potential spread within Canada.
As the public health situation evolves, Maple News will continue to provide timely and accurate reporting on travel policy changes and COVID-19 developments affecting newcomers, immigrants, and travelers to Canada.