Travel Restrictions: New Brunswick Entry Rules

As of May 2021, New Brunswick has implemented a three-phase plan to reopen the province. The plan, called the Path to Green, outlines the steps that need to be taken to lift all restrictions by August 2, 2021, provided that 75% of the eligible population aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated and COVID-related hospitalizations remain manageable. The first phase of the plan began on July 1, 2021, and included the removal of mandatory isolation and testing for those travelling within Atlantic Canada, with the exception of Nova Scotia. The second phase began on July 1, 2021, and allowed travellers from across Canada with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the province without isolation. The final phase, which began on August 2, 2021, removed the state of emergency mandatory order that had been in place since March 2020.

Travel from Atlantic Canada

If you're travelling from Atlantic Canada to New Brunswick, there are a few transport options available to you. You can travel by train, bus, car, or plane.

Train

VIA Rail offers a route that crosses three provinces: Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. You can enjoy the views of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the landscapes of northern New Brunswick between the Appalachians and Fundy Bay.

Bus

There are bus services available that connect communities within New Brunswick and to other provinces in Atlantic Canada.

Car

You can also choose to drive your own car or rent a vehicle. An international driver's license or a foreign license is valid for up to six months in New Brunswick. After that, you will need to obtain a valid New Brunswick driver's license. Keep in mind that New Brunswick has strict seat belt and child car seat laws.

Plane

For longer distances, flying may be a more convenient option. There are direct flights available from Moncton, New Brunswick to Deer Lake in Newfoundland, with a travel time of around 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Border Restrictions

It's important to note that border restrictions may be in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to check the latest government guidelines before planning your trip. As of May 2021, New Brunswick had announced a three-phase plan for reopening the province, with the goal of lifting all restrictions by August 2, 2021, if certain vaccination targets were met. This included easing restrictions for travel within Atlantic Canada.

Quarantine and Testing Requirements

As of June 2021, travellers from other provinces in Atlantic Canada, such as Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, may have had to self-isolate or undergo testing upon arrival in New Brunswick, depending on their vaccination status. Be sure to check the latest guidelines, as these requirements can change over time.

Quarantine and testing requirements

As of June 7, 2021, New Brunswick opened its borders to travellers from Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Avignon and Témiscouata regions of Quebec without the need for quarantine or a negative COVID-19 test. Cross-border truckers are also exempt from isolation upon arrival.

From July 1, 2021, travellers from Maine who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are allowed into New Brunswick without isolation. Those without a vaccine travelling from Maine must go through a five-to-seven-day quarantine period, followed by a COVID-19 test, which must be negative in order to leave isolation.

From August 2, 2021, all travel restrictions will end, according to the Path to Green plan.

Nova Scotia Quarantine Requirements

Nova Scotia requires travellers from New Brunswick to self-isolate upon arrival, even though it has opened its borders to P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador. Travellers from New Brunswick must complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form, which asks for proof of vaccination status. The isolation requirements are as follows:

• People who have had two doses of the vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in Nova Scotia must self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.
• People who had one dose of the vaccine at least 14 days before arriving in Nova Scotia must self-isolate for at least seven days and cannot leave isolation until they get two negative test results. Tests should be on days one or two and five or six.
• People who have not had any vaccine and those who had a first dose within 14 days of arrival must isolate for 14 days; testing at the beginning and end of their isolation is recommended.

International Travel

International travellers entering New Brunswick must follow all directives from the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick.

Returning to New Brunswick from the U.S.

When returning to New Brunswick from the U.S., travellers must provide:

• Proof of enrolment in New Brunswick's travel registration program
• A negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Canada or a positive COVID-19 test taken between 14 and 180 days before arrival
• A quarantine plan if travellers do not meet the requirements of a fully vaccinated traveller
• Uploaded proof of vaccination, quarantine information, and travel information up to 72 hours before entry into Canada

Returning to Canada from the U.S.

When returning to Canada from the U.S., travellers must:

• Use the free app ArriveCan to enter proof of vaccination, quarantine, and travel information, up to 72 hours before travel before re-entering Canada
• Present a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three days of arrival into the U.S. or a positive COVID-19 test taken within three months and a letter from a healthcare provider or public health official stating clearance to travel
• Show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19

Vaccination status

As of May 2021, New Brunswick's reopening plan was contingent on the vaccination status of travellers. The province's "Path to Green" plan outlined three phases, with the first phase beginning on June 7 if 75% of the eligible population had received their first vaccine dose. During this phase, there would be no mandatory isolation or testing for those travelling within Atlantic Canada and specific border regions of Quebec, with the exception of Nova Scotia. Cross-border commuters and truckers would also be exempt from testing and isolation requirements.

The second phase was set to begin on July 1, provided that at least 20% of New Brunswickers aged 65 or over had received their second vaccine dose. At this stage, travellers from across Canada with at least one vaccine dose would be allowed into the province without isolation. The same would apply to travellers from Maine, pending changes to federal regulations. Those without vaccination would be permitted to enter but would be subject to a 5-7 day isolation period and COVID testing.

By August 2, the province aimed to remove the state of emergency mandatory order, provided that 75% of New Brunswickers aged 12 and up had received both vaccine doses. At this point, all travel restrictions would be lifted.

In terms of vaccination status within New Brunswick, as of April 2023, the province had been developing its priority list for COVID-19 vaccines. The initial phase of vaccinations targeted long-term care residents and staff, health-care workers with direct patient contact, adults in First Nations communities, and older New Brunswickers. However, the definition of "older" remained unclear at the time.

By December 2020, New Brunswick had begun vaccinating health-care workers and long-term care residents, with about 150 health-care staff working 12-hour days to administer the vaccines. The province's first allotment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine consisted of 1,950 doses, all of which were administered that weekend.

In December 2020, New Brunswick also received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, with 2,400 doses to be administered during the first full week of January 2021. The Moderna vaccine could be stored in regular freezers, whereas the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine required specific freezers to maintain a temperature of -70 degrees Celsius.

Compassionate travel

New Brunswick has implemented a series of measures to restrict travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has outlined a three-phase plan for reopening, with the goal of lifting all restrictions by August 2nd, 2021, provided that 75% of the eligible population aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated.

The first phase of the reopening plan began on June 7th, allowing travel within Atlantic Canada and the border Quebec regions of Avignon and Témiscouata, with the exception of Nova Scotia. Compassionate travel was also permitted for individuals from outside certain regions, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Avignon, and Témiscouata. Those engaging in compassionate travel, such as travel related to end-of-life, funerals, and providing or receiving care, were required to isolate and take a COVID-19 test between days five and seven, discontinuing isolation only with negative results.

The second phase of the plan began on July 1st, allowing travellers from across Canada with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the province without isolation. The same applied to travellers from Maine, pending changes to federal regulations. Those who were not vaccinated were also permitted to enter but were subject to isolation and testing requirements.

By August 2nd, the province aimed to remove the state of emergency mandatory order and end all travel restrictions. However, it is important to note that these dates were goals and subject to change based on vaccination rates and hospitalization numbers.

Nova Scotia, a neighbouring province, imposed modified quarantine rules on travellers from New Brunswick, requiring them to self-isolate upon arrival even as they opened their borders to other Atlantic provinces. This highlights the evolving nature of travel restrictions and the need for travellers to stay updated on the latest regulations.

Border restrictions

As of May 2021, New Brunswick has implemented border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has outlined a three-phase "Path to Green" plan for reopening, with specific requirements for travellers based on their vaccination status and origin.

In the first phase, which was set to begin on June 7, 2021, travellers from within Atlantic Canada, excluding Nova Scotia, and the border Quebec regions of Avignon and Témiscouata, would be allowed entry without mandatory isolation or testing. However, travel registration would still be required. Compassionate travel, such as travel related to end-of-life or funeral arrangements, would be permitted for individuals from outside the specified regions, but they would need to isolate and test negative between days five and seven. Cross-border commuters and truckers would be exempt from testing and isolation requirements.

The second phase, targeted to start on July 1, 2021, would include Nova Scotia in the travel bubble. Travellers from across Canada with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine would be allowed entry without isolation. The same would apply to travellers from Maine, pending changes to federal regulations. Unvaccinated travellers from these areas would be permitted entry but required to isolate and undergo testing between days five and seven, with release from isolation upon a negative result.

International travellers with two vaccine doses would not be subject to isolation requirements, while those with one dose or unvaccinated would need to undergo a 14-day isolation, with testing on day 10. All travel restrictions were planned to end by August 2, 2021, provided that 75% of eligible residents aged 12 and over were fully vaccinated, and COVID-related hospitalisations remained manageable.

Nova Scotia, on the other hand, imposed modified quarantine rules on travellers from New Brunswick. Even as it opened its borders to P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia required travellers from New Brunswick to self-isolate and undergo testing based on their vaccination status. These requirements applied to all travellers from other parts of Canada as well, effective June 30, 2021.

Frequently asked questions