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The following information is based on existing guidelines and available information, and may be subject to change as further border reopening details emerge.  

Pre-Entry COVID-19 Test Requirements to Enter Canada:  

• All travellers (regardless of citizenship) must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test  

• If you’re driving to a land border, you must take a test in the US within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada  

• If you’re flying to Canada, you must take a test within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada  

• If you have a connecting flight, the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada (you may need to schedule the test in your transit city) 

• Find a testing facility here 

• All travellers must: 

• Provide one of the accepted types of molecular tests (e.g. PCR). Rapid tests (e.g. antigen test) will not be accepted. 

• Keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada  

• For more information, including on what details must be included in required test documentation, see: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada  

What is the proof of vaccination documentation required to enter Canada?   

Fully vaccinated travellers must: 

• Have received the full series of a vaccine, or a combination of vaccines, accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada  

• Currently accepted vaccines are: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) 

• Provide proof of vaccination information electronically through ArriveCAN (app or web portal) prior to departing for Canada  

• Have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation in English or French (or certified translation, along with the original) ready to show a government official on request. The documentation must show that both vaccine doses are accepted by the Government of Canada. 

Where can I get a post-arrival COVID-19 test in Ontario?  

Fully vaccinated travellers do not have to do an arrival test (as of August 9, this will apply to fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents residing in the US; tentatively as of Sept 7, this will apply to fully vaccinated travellers from all other countries). However, fully vaccinated travellers may be randomly selected to complete a Day 1 (arrival) COVID-19 molecular test. Unvaccinated children accompanying fully vaccinated travellers will still require a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival and on Day 8.  

When entering Canada, travellers not considered fully vaccinated will be instructed to either take an arrival test at the border, or will receive a home test kit.  

Airport arrival testing:  

• Unvaccinated travellers arriving by air must take a test before leaving the airport. At that time, they may get a home test kit to use for the Day 8 test.  

Land border arrival testing:  

• If your border crossing doesn’t offer an on-site testing, or you decide not to use the on-site testing station, you need to follow the instructions in your home test kit to complete the test at your destination  

For more info on post-arrival testing, see: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada#arrival-testing  

For instructions on completing home test kits, see: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada#complete-test-kit  

What happens if I test positive on the post-arrival test? Do I turn back?   

As far as we know, the post-arrival tests are COVID-19 molecular tests and the test results are generally provided in 1 to 3 days. If you test positive, you will be required to self-isolate at your destination for 14 days. A government representative will call you to provide additional details and instructions. 

For more info, see: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada#test-results 

Will unvaccinated children aged 12-18 need to quarantine?  

This looks to be the case so far. We are currently seeking clarification. 

Is a tourist camp considered a group setting (that unvaccinated children under 12 years old must avoid)? 

From what we understand, the camps referred to in the guidelines are children’s camps. In a regular tourist camp situation, it will be the responsibility of the parents to ensure their children do not interact with groups of people at their vacation destination.  

Are tourism businesses liable if patrons test positive for COVID-19 post-arrival or don't follow public health protocol while in Ontario? 

As far as we know, as long as tourism businesses are doing their due diligence to follow all applicable COVID-19 health and safety protocols and inform visitors of their responsibilities, tourism businesses will not normally be held liable for visitors not following public health protocol.  

Tourism businesses are required to follow public health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes:  

• Following the restrictions currently outlined in the Reopening Ontario Act, including abiding by capacity limits and requiring patrons to wear a face covering/mask and/or physically distance where applicable  

• Following any local public health and safety bylaws. Businesses should check with their local public health unit website in case there are additional restrictions and requirements. 

• Actively screen workers before they enter the workplace at the start of their shift. A worker and employee screening tool is available. 

• Have a safety plan for how they will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their workplace. The safety plan must be posted in a place where it will be seen easily  

Travellers are required to follow COVID-19 public health and safety measures: 

• If travellers violate instructions provided when entering Canada, this is an offence under the Quarantine Act and they could be subject to a monetary fine and/or imprisonment  

• If travellers break mandatory quarantine or isolation requirements when there is a risk of causing death or serious bodily harm to another person, they could be subject to a monetary fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years  

• The RCMP, provincial police, and local police are responsible for enforcing the Quarantine Act and can issue fines to travellers of up to $5,000 for non-compliance 

• Individuals who violate the Reopening Ontario Act can face tickets for set fine amounts determined by the Ontario Court of Justice 

• Under Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act, individuals who are symptomatic and waiting for test results, or who have had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 are ordered to self-isolate. Failure to comply with the order is subject to a monetary fine.  

Liability protections exist if patrons test positive at the business location: 

• Through the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020, Ontario currently offers liability protection for businesses that make an honest effort to follow federal, provincial, and municipal COVID-19 public health guidelines and laws. This Act prevents individuals from suing businesses who, despite taking precautions, exposed or infected others with COVID-19.  

• For more information on this act, please visit Bill 218, Supporting Ontario's Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020 - Legislative Assembly of Ontario (ola.org) 

Where can visitors get a COVID-19 test to return home?  

Requirements to present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to boarding a flight departing from Canada vary by country. Please check your specific country requirements.  

US visitors returning home will require a COVID-19 test to re-enter the US border by air. Rapid tests are accepted. If a trip is shorter than 3 days, a viral test taken in the US can be used to fulfill the US pre-entry test requirement as long as the test was taken no more than 3 days before the return flight to the US departs. If the return travel is delayed longer than 3 days after the test, the passenger will need to be retested before the return flight. There are currently no test requirements for re-entering the US border by land.  

COVID-19 testing options while in Ontario: 

• LifeLabs, Switch Health, Dynacare, and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations provide pre-departure testing in Ontario 

For US Visitors: 

Are there testing requirements for US visitors returning to the US? 

A COVID-19 test is required for US visitors returning to the US by air, but the same pre-departure test taken in the US can be used if the trip is less than 3 days long (see below). However, as far as we know, there are no testing requirements for return by land.  

Can a COVID-19 test taken before departure from the US be used to return to the US if the out-of-country trip was less than 72 hours long?  

• The COVID-19 test taken before departure from the United States can be used to return within the 3-day timeframe 

• If a trip is shorter than 3 days, a viral test taken in the US can be used to fulfill the US pre-entry test requirement as long as the test was taken no more than 3 days before the return flight to the US departs.  

• For example, if a passenger’s flight is at 1pm on a Friday, the passenger could board with a negative test that was taken any time on the prior Tuesday or after  

• If the return travel is delayed longer than 3 days after the test, the passenger will need to be retested before the return flight 

• Alternatively, travellers to the US may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel  

• This applies only to air travel to the US, not entry by land  

• For more info, see:  

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html  

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/covid-19_testing_required_US_Entry.html 

The Government of Canada has launched the Tourism Relief Fund, to be delivered through FedDev and FedNor Ontario. The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. This fund has a $500 million budget (ending March 31, 2023) and will focus on product development and destination development. The fund will empower businesses to create or enhance tourism experiences and products to attract visitors and to help the sector provide the best Canadian tourism experiences. 

Contributions to businesses will be either non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs OR fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs. 

The fund will offer a minimum of $50 million to support Indigenous tourism initiatives and $15 million will be dedicated to national initiatives that support the advancement of national tourism priorities. Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.  

To be considered eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experience; 
• Be part of a defined tourism cluster or a tourism dependent community, including supporting downtown cores; or 
• Provide an anchor product or service in a tourism destination. 

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please consult the Tourism Relief Fund – Application guide - FedDev Ontario  or Tourism Relief Fund - FedNor

This Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), the Fund’s purpose is to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities Indigenous communities, and other community groups: 

• build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets 
• bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease 
• create jobs and stimulate local economies 

The maximum contribution amount per project shall not exceed $750k and applications are strongly advised to be submitted by July 23, 2021. The Fund will provide support for adapting and reimagining/re-envisioning community spaces and maintaining accessibility standards so that they may safely be used by communities; and building or improving community infrastructure through the expansion, improvement or creation of community spaces to encourage Canadians to re-engage in and explore their communities and regions. 

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There are 4 priorities that have been identified for the CCRF: Downtown core and main street, Outdoor space, Green projects, and Accessibility.  

Eligible costs include those already eligible under current program authorities and include all costs deemed reasonable and necessary for carrying out eligible projects that contribute to achieving the Fund’s objective. Max contribution rate for eligible project costs shall not normally exceed 75%; for assistance provided to an Indigenous not-for-profit organization or a band, the maximum contribution rate for eligible costs may go up to 100%. 

Financial assistance will be non-repayable contributions. The maximum contribution amount per project shall not exceed $750K. The actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to carry out the project. 

Disbursement of Funding an initial Advance Payment will be issued based on the cost forecast and the final claim will be required to reconcile the advance payment and to allow release of the balance of funds, as required. 

Application Process There is a two-phase application process and assessment of applications will begin on July 23, 2021. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. Should there be remaining funding after the scheduled intake period, applications will continue to be accepted and funded on a continuous intake basis over the next two years or until such a time as the allocated funding is fully distributed. 

FedDev Applicants 

To start your application please visit Canada Community Revitalization Fund - Application guide - FedDev Ontario 

FedNor Applicants 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact FedNor to discuss their project with a FedNor Program Officer, for more information and how to begin the application process, please visit Canada Community Revitalization Fund application form and instructions - FedNor. 

 

"TIAO is delighted with the decision by the Ontario government to enter Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen plan on July 16. Thanks to Ontarians getting vaccinated, the incredible work of our health care professionals and measures in place to reduce transmission, it will mean many of our members will be able to reopen and/or expand their operations indoors for the first time in many months.

This will mean vital revenues for these businesses after a torrid sixteen months and allow Ontarians to go back to the jobs they love and visitors will once again be able to enjoy what our incredible province has to offer.

But we also have a new and exciting challenge, that if we can reach 80% of Ontarians having at least one dose and 75% being fully vaccinated the vast majority of public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and limits for social gatherings, will be lifted.

TIAO would like to thank our partners and specifically, Minister Lisa MacLeod, for their steadfast support, commitment to dialogue and sheer hard work to make this happen. We must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, but today’s news has been hard-earned and we’re all excited about what the next few weeks could hold."

-Chris Bloore, President and CEO, TIAO

 

Ontario Step 3 Rules and Regulations: Reopening on 12:01am on Friday, July 16, 2021 

The Ministry of Health is proposing amendments to O Reg. 364/20 to set out the public health and workplace safety measures for step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen. This includes but is not limited to (all with additional restrictions): 

 

Social Gatherings & Organized Public Events 

• Max 25 people indoors 

• Max 100 people outdoors 

Restaurants, bars, food trucks, and other food or drink establishments 

• Indoor and outdoor capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance  

• No limit on number of patrons seated at the same table 

Food and drink establishments with dance floors (including night clubs and resto bars) 

• Limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance with a maximum capacity of 25%, up to 250 people indoors 

• Maximum capacity of 75%, up to 5,000 outdoors  

• No limits to the number of patrons per table 

• Physical distancing is not-required for patrons when dancing 

Retail Stores 

• Essential and non-essential retail limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance 

Wedding, funeral or religious service, rite, or ceremony 

• For the ceremony itself:  

• Capacity is limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres physical distance  

• For social gatherings associated with the ceremony (e.g., receptions): 

• Maximum 25 people indoors  

• Maximum 100 people outdoors 

Indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces 

• Capacity is limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres physical distance  

• Maximum 50% capacity up to 1,000 people indoors 

• Maximum 75% capacity up to 5,000 people outdoors 

Facilities used for indoor or outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities 

• Maximum 50% capacity for indoor facilities  

• Personal trainers and sports trainers permitted with physical distancing and other restrictions  

• Spectators limited to 50% of the indoor seating capacity for up to 1,000 people; masks are required   

• Spectators limited to 75% of outdoor seating capacity for up to 15,000 people, and other restrictions; masks are required except for members of the same household seated together  

• Sports permitted without restrictions on contact 

Day and overnight camps 

• Permitted to open as per the safety guidelines for COVID-19 for day camps produced by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health 

Hotels, motels, and short-term rentals 

• Permitted to open 

• On-premise indoor fitness or indoor recreational facilities permitted to open with maximum 50% capacity limit 

Campgrounds 

• Permitted to open 

• On-premise indoor fitness or indoor recreational facilities permitted to open with maximum 50% capacity limit 

Museums, aquariums, zoos, science centres, landmarks, historic sites, gardens, and similar attractions 

• Permitted to operate with: 

• Indoor capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres’ physical distance, with a maximum capacity of 50%  

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors 

Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres 

• Maximum 50% seated capacity indoors, up to 1000 people 

• Reservations are required for attendance 

• An outdoor seated concert, event, or performance or movie within a concert venue, theatre or cinema is permitted to operate at a maximum capacity of: 

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors, or up to 15,000 people (seated) 

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors, or 5000 people (non-seated) 

• Masks must be worn both indoor and outdoor unless you are with people from your household or you are seated at least 2 meters away from every person outside your household 

• Reservations are required for attendance 

Amusement parks and waterparks 

• Maximum capacity of 75% outdoors 

• Indoor areas are limited to the number of people that can maintain physical distance of 2 metres, with a maximum of 50%  

• Reservations required for indoor events or activities, or outdoor seated events 

Casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments 

• Capacity is limited to the number of people that can maintain 2 metres physical distance  

• Maximum 50% capacity indoors 

Horse racing venues 

• Maximum 50% capacity indoors, up to 1000 people (seated) 

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors, up to 15,000 people (seated) 

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors, up to 5,000 people (non-seated) 

• Reservations required for indoor events or activities, and outdoor seated events 

Boat Tours 

• Open indoors and outdoors 

• Limited to the amount of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance with a maximum capacity of 50%  

• Reservations required 

Tours and guide services 

• Includes guided hunting trips, tastings, walking tours, etc. 

• Limited to the amount of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance 

Fairs, rural exhibitions, festivals 

• Maximum 75% capacity outdoors 

• Indoor capacity is limited to the amount of people that can maintain 2 metres of physical distance, not exceeding 50% capacity 

Strip clubs 

• Indoor capacity limited to the number of people who can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres (seated)  

• Performers must maintain at least 2 metres’ physical distance from patrons 

Bathhouses and sex clubs   

• Capacity limited to the number of people who can maintain a physical distance of 2 metres  

• Maximum 25% capacity, up to 250 people 

• Masks required 

 

For more details on the rules and regulations for step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen, please visit the official news release at  Ontario Moving to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16 | Ontario Newsroom 

You can also view the regulation for full details.

Next steps 

The province will remain in Step Three of the Roadmap for at least 21 days and until 80 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their population fully vaccinated. 

Upon meeting these thresholds, the vast majority of public health and workplace safety measures, including capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and limits for social gatherings, will be lifted. Only a small number of measures will remain in place, including the requirement for passive screening, such as posting a sign, and businesses requiring a safety plan. 

We're happy to announce the second round of finalists for this year's Ontario Tourism Awards!

The Tourism Marketing and Travel Media Awards of Excellence celebrate excellence and innovation of those who contribute to Ontario’s tourism industry through impactful tourism partnerships, marketing activities and media relations provincially, nationally and internationally.

The Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence recognize those who work hard to tell the stories of Ontario’s growers, producers, chefs, winemakers and brewers, and their dedication to advancing the culinary tourism movement in Ontario.

The Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence (previously announced on Sept. 11) are presented to organizations, businesses and individuals that represent the quality of offerings that make Ontario a destination of choice—innovations, events, employers and the tourism champions who make it all possible.

Award winners will be announced on November 7 at the Ontario Tourism Summit in Niagara Falls.

Tourism Marketing and Travel Media Awards of Excellence (OTMPC)

Tourism Marketing Campaign Award Under 50K

Elgin County Tourism

Tourism Hamilton

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism

Tourism Marketing Campaign Award Over 50K

Ottawa Tourism

Resorts of Ontario, Central Counties Tourism (RTO 6), BruceGreySimcoe (RTO 7) and Kawarthas Northumberland (RTO 8)

Kingston Accommodation Partners

Tourism Print Collateral Award

Tourism Timmins

Headwaters Tourism

Tourism Toronto

Tourism Digital Marketing Award

Tourism Toronto

Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation (RTO 1)

Kingston Accommodation Partners

Tourism Marketing Partnership Award

Tourism Toronto and Air Canada

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

Toronto Zoo

Travel Media Story Award

Mark Stevens

Arienne Parzei

Colleen Friesen

Travel Media Photography Award

James MacDonald

Colin Field

George Fischer

Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence (CTA)

Culinary Tourism Leadership Award

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism

Bistro ‘67

360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower

Culinary Tourism Event of the Year

Cultivate: A Festival of Food & Drink

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Family Day Wassailing Festival

WindsorEats’ Dinner on a Pier

Culinary Tourism Experience Award

The Apple Pie Trail

The Barrels, Bottles & Brews Trail

Stratford Tourism Alliance

Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence (TIAO)

Tourism Innovator of the Year

Escape Manor & Diefenbunker Museum — Escape the Diefenbunker

Great Spirit Circle Trail — Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tours

Waterloo Warbirds

Tourism Event of the Year

Lumina Borealis

Kingsville Folk Music Festival

2016 World Cup of Hockey

Tourism Champion of the Year

Adriano Ciotoli

Deb Dalziel

Patti Kendall

Tourism Employer of the Year

Tourism Toronto

Caesars Windsor

Chelsea Hotel Toronto

Sustainable Tourism Award

Taste Real Local Food Fest

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

Yours Outdoors

Accessible Tourism Award

Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada

Ontario Science Centre

Kingsville Folk Music Festival

Please note that voting for Ontario's Choice Awards is open until October 5.

The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence are a celebration of success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. Awards are jointly presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, the Culinary Tourism Alliance and Attractions Ontario across four respective categories: the Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence (TIAO); the Tourism Marketing & Travel Media Awards of Excellence (OTMPC); the Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence (CTA); and Ontario's Choice Awards (Attractions Ontario).

Thank You to The Globe and Mail for Sponsoring the Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence

TIAO is happy to announce the first round of finalists for this year's Ontario Tourism Awards!

The Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence are presented to organizations, businesses and individuals that represent the quality of offerings that make Ontario a destination of choice—innovations, events, employers and the tourism champions who make it all possible.

Award winners will be announced on November 7 at the Ontario Tourism Summit in Niagara Falls.

Tourism Innovator of the Year

Escape Manor & Diefenbunker Museum — Escape the Diefenbunker

Great Spirit Circle Trail — Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tours

Waterloo Warbirds

Tourism Event of the Year

Lumina Borealis

Kingsville Folk Music Festival

2016 World Cup of Hockey

Tourism Champion of the Year

Adriano Ciotoli

Deb Dalziel

Patti Kendall

Tourism Employer of the Year

Tourism Toronto

Caesars Windsor

Chelsea Hotel Toronto

Sustainable Tourism Award

Taste Real Local Food Fest

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

Yours Outdoors

Accessible Tourism Award

Stratford Shakespearean Festival of Canada

Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence are a celebration of success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. Awards are jointly presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, the Culinary Tourism Alliance and Attractions Ontario across four respective categories: the Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence (TIAO); the Tourism Marketing & Travel Media Awards of Excellence (OTMPC); the Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence (CTA); and Ontario's Choice Awards (Attractions Ontario).

Thank You to The Globe and Mail for Sponsoring the Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence