To keep informed about the current situation
Please note that the information below was last updated on September 27, 2021.
On June 28, 2021, Montréal became a green zone, signalling the further lifting of many restrictions. The Gouvernement du Québec continues to roll out its reopening plan over the next few months, until the end of August 2021. The vaccination plan is progressing well, with over 78% of the population having received at least one dose. For more information on the current situation, read this article.
If you are a meeting or event planner, or the promoter of a sporting event, please see the information on sanitary protocols specific to events here.
Travel and borders
Since August 9, 2021, American citizens and permanent residents who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure are allowed to enter Canada for non-essential travel.
Since September 7, 2021, international tourists who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure are allowed to enter Canada for non-essential travel.
These are the currently accepted vaccines:
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
All travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.
All travellers are required to show a negative COVID-19 molecular test (PCR) that was taken within 72 hours prior to their departure.
Since August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers do not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test (PCR).
Since September 1, 2021, a vaccination passport is in effect in Québec. This passport allows visitors and residents who are fully vaccinated to have access to non-essential activities and businesses, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, festivals and events (see the complete list here). The vaccination passport is required for everyone aged 13 and older.
Québec residents:
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Will need to show a QR code that contains their protection status as proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Proof can be shown on paper, in a PDF on a mobile device or on the VaxiCode app (available to download from the App Store, and soon available on Google Play.)
National and international travellers to Québec:
- People travelling to Québec must show photo ID and proof issued by their country or Canadian province that they have had two doses of a recognized vaccine (see list above).
To learn more about the status of international travel and border crossings, or the mandatory measures for visitors entering Canada from abroad, visit the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website for the latest official information.
Here are the main things to remember for Montréal:
On June 28, 2021
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Montréal became a green zone.
Activities permitted in green zones
- Indoor gatherings of 10 people from different households or the occupants from 3 households are permitted. Physical distancing and mask wearing are highly recommended.
- Outdoor gatherings are permitted on private property and on balconies for a maximum of 20 people. Basic health measures must be followed at all times.
- Restaurants are open for indoor dining and terraces are open. A maximum of 10 people or the residents of 3 different households can share the same table.
- With the exception of fast food services, an attendance registry must be kept.
- Bars, breweries, taverns, casinos are open, with restrictions:
- 50% of the maximum capacity.
- Maximum of 10 people or residents from 3 different households can share the same table.
- Outdoor terraces can accommodate a maximum of 20 people per table.
- Customers must remain seated at their tables.
- Dancing and singing are prohibited.
- An attendance registry must be kept.
- Establishments must close at 2 a.m. (alcohol sales must stop at midnight).
- Indoor concert halls and outdoor venues with assigned seats are able to welcome up to 3,500 people (spread out in zones of 250 people with a distance of 1 seat between each person).
- It is possible to practise supervised sports and recreational activities outdoors, in groups of 50 people maximum. (The number of spectators is also limited to 50.)
- It is possible to practise sports and recreational activities, including guided lessons and training, with brief contact permitted in indoor public places for groups of no more than 25 individuals. The number of spectator sis also limited to 25.
- Travel to another region or city of the province of Québec is permitted.
- Day camps and vacation camps can reopen.
- You can take part in public activities and events outdoors, according to specific rules (details to follow).
- There is an easing of requirements on wearing masks and distancing oneself at private gatherings for people having received both vaccine doses.
- Rules are relaxed for outdoor stadiums with fixed, pre-assigned seating.
- Maximum of 3,500 people.
On August 1, 2021
- Capacity is increased for concert and festival venues. Seated events can hold 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. For arenas and festival grounds, capacity is increased to 7,500 indoors and 15,000 outdoors.
- Bars and microbreweries are allowed to remain open until 2 a.m., with last call at 1 a.m.
Towards the end of August 2021
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In the case where 75% of Quebecers aged 12 years and older have received both doses of the vaccine, and if the epidemiological circumstances allow it, other rules will be relaxed for gatherings, indoor and outdoor events, sports and recreational activities.
What remains open
- Nonessential businesses, including personal care services and hairdressers;
- Shopping centres;
- Libraries;
- Museums;
- Cinemas;
- Accommodation establishments of all types, including guest houses;
- Indoor swimming pools and skating rinks in municipalities (for individuals or groups from the same family bubble);
- Hotel swimming pools (see hotel’s specific schedule and rules);
- Spas.
Basic rules
Limit contacts, maintain physical distancing, and wear a mask or face covering.
Public health authorities have reiterated the importance of limiting contacts beyond our households, maintaining social distances in indoor and outdoor public spaces, and of wearing a mask in all indoor and outdoor public spaces or wherever the 1-metre distance cannot be maintained. A mask or face covering is mandatory for people aged 10 years and over in all indoor public places (including public transit) throughout the territory of the province of Québec.
For more information, consult the Gouvernement du Québec website.
REFERENCES
For specific questions regarding public health guidelines, government regulations and support programs or about travel to and within Montréal, we recommend consulting these sites for official information.