An airplane arrives at an airport at sunset. Photo courtesy Ken Yam on Unsplash.

Travel

Travelling Safely

Whether you live in residence or off-campus, you are expected to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days once you arrive in Nova Scotia unless you already live in the Atlantic travel bubble (NS/NB/NL/PEI). Every adult from outside Atlantic Canada needs to complete a Nova Scotia Safe Check-In Form before they travel to the province. If you are an international student, you also need to complete a form in ArriveCAN (app, website, or phone).

We strongly encourage you not to leave the designated travel zone (currently the Atlantic travel bubble), even on weekends and study break. Staff and faculty are limited to essential travel only, requiring approval. Any student, staff, or faculty member who leaves the Atlantic travel bubble will be required to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days upon their return. Please be aware that Nova Scotia remains in a State of Emergency and that there are several federal advisories and orders in place.

Key Safety Measures

  • Non-essential travel outside the Atlantic provinces is prohibited.

    Faculty and staff should leave the Atlantic provinces only for essential purposes. Travel outside these provinces requires the approval of the President or a Vice-President, submitted via a Director or Dean. Students are strongly encouraged not to leave the Atlantic provinces.

  • Anyone arriving in the Atlantic provinces must quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days.

    If you travel to or return to Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic provinces, you are required to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days. This applies to any faculty, staff, or students, including students arriving in January 2021 from outside of Atlantic Canada who plan to live off-campus.

    Effective November 21, international students will be required to provide travel and contact information, a quarantine plan, and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment through the ArriveCAN app, and show their ArriveCAN receipt when they arrive. Within 48 hours of arriving in Canada, you need to confirm that you have arrived at your place of quarantine or isolation. You will also need to complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during your quarantine period using the ArriveCAN app or calling 1-833-641-0343 (toll free).

  • Quarantine (self-isolate) effectively.

    You must quarantine (self-isolate) upon your arrival in Canada. You must continue to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days after arrival in Nova Scotia, with your arrival day in Nova Scotia being considered Day 1. Effective November 9, everyone sharing a residence with a traveler who is quarantining (self-isolating) must also self-isolate for 14 days, with day 1 being the date the last traveler arrives. The entire household must stay on the property: do not go for a walk, to school, to stores, or to work.

    If you are an international student, please review the details of our quarantine accommodations. We are also planning services and resources for students who are quarantining (self-isolating) both on-campus and off-campus.

    Public Health provides criteria for when people should be tested for COVID-19. All students, faculty, and staff are asked to perform a daily self-assessment based on provincial guidelines. Complete the province's online assessment if you feel you have symptoms related to COVID-19, and follow the instructions you are given. If the internet is unavailable, you can still call 811 to be assessed by a nurse.
A student puts on his headphones as he travels across the University Hall's front lawn.

Travel Update

The provinces of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced that they are suspending the 'Atlantic Bubble' travel agreement for two weeks, effective November 24 and November 25 respectively. Prince Edward Island has also suspended non-essential travel.

Travel FAQ

Is the Atlantic Bubble still in effect?

The provinces of Price Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have suspended their participation in the Atlantic Bubble agreement and will reevaluate on December 7. As of November 26, New Brunswick has also suspended its participation, with more details to come.

As of November 26, Nova Scotia has not imposed restrictions on visitors arriving from these provinces. This means that you are currently able to return to Acadia from other Atlantic provinces without quarantining. However, if you leave Acadia to visit the other provinces, you will have to quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days upon your arrival in those provinces. Please be aware of local regulations and requirements before you leave Nova Scotia.

I'm thinking about traveling outside the Atlantic Bubble, is that OK?

Once you arrive at Acadia, we strongly encourage you not to leave the designated travel zone (currently the Atlantic travel bubble), even on weekends and study break. Staff and faculty are limited to essential travel only, requiring approval of a Vice-President or President.

Anyone returning from travel from outside of the Atlantic provinces must follow the quarantine (self-isolation) rules of the province and quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days before returning to campus.

What do I need to know before travelling to Nova Scotia?
  1. Review Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Post Secondary fact sheet.
  2. Every adult (18 or older) arriving from outside Atlantic Canada is required to complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in prior to arriving in Nova Scotia.
  3. Every international student needs to complete an ArriveCAN check-in using the app, website, or toll-free number. You are also required to complete the Nova Scotia provincial check-in.
I’m worried about obtaining my study permit. Do I need to apply for a deferral?

To study on campus at Acadia in Winter 2021, you must have a valid study permit or letter of introduction, and you must be able to travel to Nova Scotia by January 3rd, 2021. Learn more about your options to study virtually or defer your studies.

I'm an international student trying to make travel arrangements. Who can I contact?

Please visit the Wong International Centre's Arrival and Orientation page to learn about travelling to Canada. Staff are available online to provide assistance with immigration documents, taxes, and other questions.

I am an international student arriving to Nova Scotia from outside of Canada – is this the only form I need to present at the border?

No, you are required to provide additional documentation.  Please review the Travel Document Checklist outlined on the International Students – Arrival and Orientation page.

Effective November 21, you will need to use the ArriveCAN app to provide travel and contact information, a quarantine plan, and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment, and you'll need to show your ArriveCAN receipt when you arrive.

Within 48 hours of arriving in Canada, you need to confirm that you have arrived at your place of quarantine or isolation.

You will also need to complete a daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessment during your quarantine period using the ArriveCAN app or calling 1-833-641-0343 (toll free).

I am arriving from the United States – is this the only form I need to present at the border?

No, you are required to provide additional documentation.  Please review the Travel Document Checklist outlined on the International Students – Arrival and Orientation page.

I'm a returning student in a student exchange program. Who should I contact?

Students on exchange programs must notify Michael Holmes at michael.holmes@acadiau.ca when they arrive in Canada.

What about Acadia's faculty/staff travel health insurance?

Our travel health insurer, SSQ, will be covering all emergency medical expenses resulting from COVID-19 for those travelling outside of Canada effective October 1, 2020.

Remember that in all countries affected by the coronavirus, any directives issued by the local government and public safety authorities will supersede those of SSQ's assistance service. As a result, access to health care may be limited.

For more information, please contact your SSQ Insurance account manager or Human Resources.

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