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International Student Travel & Quarantine

VanArts is working to ensure the safety of all students following guidelines issued by the Government of Canada and health authorities.

Please consult the Government of Canada’s COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders page for the most up to date information and tools for planning your travel to Canada.

Effective January 15, 2022, all travellers to Canada must be fully vaccinated, with very limited exemptions.

(The information below was last updated on January 27, 2022.)

Travelling to Canada

Use ArriveCan to submit your travel plans (mandatory)

(from the Government of Canada guide: Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada)

You must use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information before and after your entry into Canada. It only takes minutes to help keep each other safe.

Within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada, you’ll need to submit your:

  • Contact information and travel details
  • Vaccination information, pre-entry test results and travel history
  • Quarantine plan

Steps for fully vaccinated travellers

(from the Government of Canada’s guide on COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada)

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must:

  • have received at least 2 doses of a vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
    • or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • have received your second dose at least 15 calendar days before you enter Canada
    • Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday July 1, then Friday July 16 would be the first day that you meet the 15 day condition
  • have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
  • follow pre-entry testing and entry requirements
    • upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
    • complete your ArriveCAN submission and and have ArriveCAN receipt with letter I, V, or A beside your name
    • complete arrival test and quarantine if selected
    • monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for the 14 days after entry into Canada
    • if you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek advice from local public health

Accepted Vaccines

Vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel to and within Canada:

  • AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
  • Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
  • Moderna (mRNA-1273)
  • Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
  • Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
  • Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must have received, at least 15 calendar days by the day you travel:

  • at least 2 doses of a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada for the purpose of travel
  • or a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
  • or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Exemptions from Quarantine

(from the Government of Canada’s guide on COVID-19 Travel: Checklists for requirements and exemptions)

As a fully vaccinated traveller, you may be exempt from quarantine requirements, but you must still have a 14-day quarantine plan in place before arriving in Canada.

There are strict requirements you must follow even if you are exempt from quarantine.

You must:

  • wear a mask at all times when in public spaces
  • maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada
  • monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19

The border services officer will make the final decision about whether or not you qualify.

Students are to email their travel information (name, flight details) and quarantine plan to studentservices@vanarts.com

Quarantine/Self-Isolation

You may be required to quarantine/self-isolate for 14 days immediately upon arrival in Canada in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.  This requirement is enforceable by emergency orders under the Quarantine Act.

Airport and Transportation Safety

Students are advised to check their airline specific requirements.  At a minimum, we recommend travelers:

  • Wear a face mask at the airport, during flight(s), and until arriving at their quarantine location
  • Maintain 2m (6ft) of social/physical distancing (when possible)
  • Wash their hands regularly using soap and water or hand sanitizer

Upon arrival in Canada, students should avoid public mass transit, continue wearing a mask, and travel by taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) from the airport to their quarantine location.

Selecting a Quarantine Location

Though students are free to arrange their own quarantine locations, they are advised to select a location that has the necessities of life where they can avoid contact with others for the duration of their quarantine.

VanArts has identified the following nearby hotels with suitable quarantine suites and have arrangements in place to ensure access to the necessities of life:

GEC Granville Suites – 718 Drake Street, Vancouver, BC

YWCA Hotel – 733 Beaty Street, Vancouver, BC

More information on these locations and their procedures for welcoming quarantining students is available by clicking the links above or by contacting studentservices@vanarts.com

Accessing Necessities of Life

There are several local grocery stores and restaurants with delivery services available near VanArts and the recommended quarantine locations listed above.

Grocery stores and restaurants with delivery options include:

Pharmacies with delivery options include:

Medical Insurance

BC Medical Insurance is required by law for all students, international as well as Canadian, through the Medical Services Plan of B.C. (MSP). Students from outside British Columbia and international students should apply for B.C. Medical insurance as soon as they arrive and have established an address in BC. Forms are available in the Student Services office and Medical Services Plan website.

There is a three-month waiting period before students are eligible for MSP. During the waiting period, students are advised to maintain coverage through their existing insurance policy or for the duration of their waiting period through a private insurance broker.

Self-Monitoring During Quarantine

It is essential that students in quarantine self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms.  Students are asked to contact studentservices@vanarts.com if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms while in quarantine.

The BC COVID-19 website has links to download the BC COVID-19 App and to a Self-Assessment Tool Self that will help students monitor their health and determine if they need to be tested.

If testing for COVID-19 is required, follow this link to find a BCCDC testing location. Students may speak with a medical professional by calling HealthLink BC (8-1-1).

Students are required to report their symptoms daily using ArriveCAN (iOS, Android, web-based).

Attending Classes Online During Quarantine

Though we advise students to arrive at least 14 days before classes being, if students are in quarantine or self-isolation while their classes are in progress, they will be supported with access to VanArts systems, an introduction to and means of communicating with their instructors and fellow students, and they will be able to attend classes and any student functions online.

Student Services Check-ins

All international students will be called by VanArts upon arrival in Vancouver. The purpose of this call will be to confirm arrival in Vancouver, and to determine if they have been instructed to enter quarantine.

Regular check-ins will be conducted with students in quarantine to ensure they are following all quarantine requirements and are reporting their condition daily using ArriveCAN (iOS, Android, web-based).

Any compliance issues within the quarantine period will be reported to local bylaw officers.

COVID-19 Information & Mental Health Resources

Questions?

Contact Student Services or VanArts Administration Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm:

Ken Priebe
Communications/Students Services Manager
ken@vanarts.com

Colin Phillips
Operations Manager
colin@vanarts.com