Transport Canada has defined special accommodations for those who are either unvaccinated or have only partial vaccination, all of which are explained in this section. In all of these instances, a valid COVID-19 molecular or antigen test from an accredited laboratory or facility will be required for travel.

 

Travel to or from remote airports

Passengers departing Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik, Mayo or Minto for Whitehorse are not required to provide proof of vaccination in order travel unless they are connecting beyond Whitehorse. If they are, and do not have proof of vaccination, they may have access to a self-administered rapid molecular test provided free of charge by Transport Canada and can travel so long as they receive a negative result. These tests require 30 minutes to return a result and availability cannot be guaranteed, so alternative testing options are recommended. Passengers will be responsible for any costs associated with trip interruption if tests are unavailable.

 

Passengers departing Whitehorse for Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik, Mayo or Minto are required to have proof of vaccination in order to travel. For those who do not have such proof, may have access to a self-administered rapid molecular test provided free of charge by Transport Canada and can travel so long as they receive a negative result. As noted above, these tests require 30 minutes for a result and availability cannot be guaranteed. Alternative testing options are recommended.

 

For those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons

Passengers who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons can complete a form to request exemption from the vaccination requirements to travel. The form must be signed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in a Canadian province or territory.

 

Considered a (provincial/territorial) licensed medical doctor or a nurse practitioner:

  • Family doctor 
  • Nurse practitioner 
  • Allergist 
  • Immunologist 
  • Cardiologist 
  • Rheumatologist
  • Oncologist

Not considered a licensed medical doctor or a nurse practitioner: 

  • Paramedical or alternative health providers (e.g., chiropractor, podiatrist, optometrist, naturopath) 
  • Registered nurse (RN), registered practical nurse (RPN), licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • Physician’s assistant (PA)
  • Dentist or dental hygienist 
  • Psychologist 

The form must be completed 21 days in advance of travel and authorization is not guaranteed. Note that authorization is valid only for one round-trip flight with Air North. Passengers connecting to another airline for travel within Canada will need to request exemption from the other carrier as well.

 

How to submit a request:

 

For those who are not vaccinated but need to travel for essential medical services and treatment

Passengers who are not vaccinated but need to travel for essential medical services and treatment can complete a form to request exemption from the vaccination requirements to travel. The form must be signed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner licensed to practice in a Canadian province or territory.

 

Considered a (provincial/territorial) licensed medical doctor or a nurse practitioner:

  • Family doctor 
  • Nurse practitioner 
  • Allergist 
  • Immunologist 
  • Cardiologist 
  • Rheumatologist
  • Oncologist

Not considered a licensed medical doctor or a nurse practitioner: 

  • Paramedical or alternative health providers (e.g., chiropractor, podiatrist, optometrist, naturopath) 
  • Registered nurse (RN), registered practical nurse (RPN), licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • Physician’s assistant (PA)
  • Dentist or dental hygienist 
  • Psychologist 

The form should be completed 14 days in advance of the date of travel. Should expedited approval be necessary we will make every effort to accommodate such requests. Note that authorization is valid only for one round-trip flight with Air North. Passengers connecting to another airline for travel within Canada will need to request exemption from the other carrier as well.

 

How to submit a request:

 

Sincere religious belief

Passengers who are not vaccinated as their sincere religious belief makes it impossible may request exemption from the vaccination requirements.

 

Note, leaders and members of a number of religions and religious denominations (e.g., Islam, Roman Catholicism, Christian, Judaism, Greek Orthodox, Mennonites, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science) have released public statements indicating their support for the COVID-19 vaccine specifically in the interest of public health. In addition, a number of provincial human right commissions, including the Ontario Human Right Commission, have taken the position that objection to vaccination for personal reasons is not a protected ground under their respective Code and does not need to be accommodated. 

 

The form must be completed 21 days in advance of the date of travel and authorization is not guaranteed. Note that authorization is valid only for one round-trip flight with Air North. Passengers connecting to another airline for travel within Canada will need to request exemption from the other carrier as well.

 

How to submit a request:
 
Foreign nationals

If a foreign national travelling in Canada requires an exemption for medical inability to be vaccinated, the process is the same as for Canadian citizens and permanent residents detailed above. A medical note or letter issued by a medical doctor/nurse practitioner in a country other than Canada shall not be accepted by the operator for domestic or outbound travel.

 

What testing is accepted when presented with an approved exemption?
  • A negative result for a COVID-19 molecular test that was performed on a specimen collected no more than 72 hours before the flight’s initial scheduled departure time; or
  • A negative result for a COVID-19 antigen test that was performed on a specimen collected no more than one day before the flight’s initial scheduled departure time; or
  • A positive result for a COVID-19 molecular test that was performed on a specimen collected at least 10 days and no more than 180 days before the flight’s initial scheduled departure time.

A COVID-19 molecular test is defined within Transport Canada’s Interim Order as a COVID-19 screening or diagnostic test carried out by an accredited laboratory. The most common are:

  • PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
  • Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
  • Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)

Additional details from Transport Canada may be found here.

 

Self-administered tests are not accepted for use with an exemption apart from those provided by Transport Canada for passengers travelling to or from remote communities.