Transport Canada announces cruise ship COVID rules ahead of restart

As cruise ships are set to arrive back at Canadian ports next month, Canada has outlined the rules for passengers and crew members.

As part of Transport Canada’s new “comprehensive public health plan for cruise ships,” all passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail from Canada.

Only passengers under 12 and those with a medical exemptions do not need to be vaccinated.

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Passengers will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test to board a ship. A molecular test, like a PCR, will be accepted if taken within 72 hours before boarding, or an antigen test taken within one day of boarding.

In addition to testing requirements, all passengers will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.

Mask rules will be in place “according to local/provincial health guidelines,” and cruise ship are also required to have testing facilities on board so that passengers can take another COVID-19 test before disembarking the ship.

The federal transport minister outlined the new measures Monday morning in Halifax, and saying cruise ships are an important part of the tourism sector.

“As Canadians continue to do their part by stepping up and rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and practicing public health measures, our government continues to work hard to restart our economy safely and sustainably. We welcome cruise ships—an important part of our tourism sector—back to Canada, and we will continue working with partners to support this important industry,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said.

The cruise ship sector contributes more than $40 billion to the Canadian economy and employs some 30,000 people.