On October 21, 2021, the Government of Canada lifted its advisory for fully vaccinated Canadians to avoid all non-essential international travel. At this time, all unvaccinated travellers are still advised to continue avoiding non-essential travel to all destinations. All members of the York community including faculty, staff and students should follow this advisory to support the health and safety of our community.
Please be advised that COVID-19 related restrictions continue to impact international travel and operations for our partner institutes. Everyone must consult the Government of Canada’s travel advisory based on their intended destination and follow health and security recommendations in addition to prevention measures, such as mask wearing, hand washing and practicing physical distancing.
As of October 30, 2021, all travellers who are departing from Canadian airports or travelling on VIA Rail are required to be fully vaccinated. Further guidance on international travel can be found in the International Travel FAQs on the Better Together website.
International programs
Given the recent lifting of the Government of Canada’s global COVID-19 travel advisory, York is pleased to resume University-sponsored or sanctioned international programs for students in safe travel corridor destinations.
The criteria for safe travel corridors include:
- Ability to travel to a host country without border restrictions;
- Confirmation of a partner institution’s readiness to receive students for in-person courses or research;
- Confirmation of comprehensive health insurance, including COVID-19 coverage;
- Participation in pre-departure training, in coordination with York International;
- Proof of vaccination;
- Support from a home faculty/research unit;
- Review of vaccination and quarantine requirements in a destination country; and
- Review of public health measures in a host country (e.g. level of restriction)
Students who were scheduled to participate in an international program for the winter 2022 term and respective international program coordinators situated in faculties, will be notified of this change.
Graduate student travel
This will be resumed for safe travel corridor countries and other destination countries that are not on the list and will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. For travel to non-safe corridor countries, graduate students can work with their supervisor, FGS, YI, VPRI and Risk Management to develop a health and safety plan. The current assessment takes into consideration Global Affairs Canada travel advisories to the region, local advisories, availability of insurance that includes COVID-19 testing and treatment, familiarity with the region and added consideration for the essential nature of the research. This can be determined by the supervisor, Dean’s Office and VPRI prior to the assessment.
International travel for faculty, researchers, instructors
Everyone is encouraged to visit the Government of Canada's travel advice and advisories for your destination(s) before making international travel arrangements. The site will help you to verify health recommendations and safety and security information, while keeping you apprised of the COVID-19 situation and required public health measures for your destination.
University-related business travel
This is now permitted and should be approved by the respective Decanal Office, Unit/Division Head or their delegates. A health, safety and risk assessment must be completed prior to travel and must adhere to the host country or institution’s health and safety requirements. It will also be necessary to have a health and safety plan in place. Questions related to safety abroad can be submitted to safetyabroad@yorku.ca.
Travelling to York from outside of Canada
Everyone coming to York from outside of Canada must complete all of the mandatory quarantine and testing requirements. As of September 7, 2021 all travellers arriving in Canada who are fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved vaccine may be exempt from quarantine requirements. Regardless of vaccination status, upon arrival each traveler must show a viable quarantine plan to a border services officer.
York University runs an off-campus quarantine program for all international arrivals destined for York. For more information on this, please visit York International’s Quarantine Information page. Further guidance on inbound travel can be found in the International Travel FAQs.
We will continue to monitor the situation regularly and provide updates should circumstances change. York International will also be available to provide support to assess and develop risk mitigation plans for international travel, where and when required. For more information, please contact York International at: goglobal@yorku.ca or safetyabroad@yorku.ca and please continue visiting the Better Together website for regular updates.
Lisa Philipps
Provost & Vice-President Academic
Amir Asif
Vice-President, Research & Innovation