Canada’s new travel advisory

If you are a Canadian in Panama, you may have received an email from the Canadian government if you are registered with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service.

If you are not registered with ROCA, here are the details of the email with information for Canadians abroad. 

In an attempt to limit the spread of (COVID-19), specifically the new Omicron variant, the Government of Canada has re-instated a Global Travel Advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.

The government of Canada recommends: 

- You find out what commercial options are still available to return to Canada

- Consider returning to Canada earlier than planned if these options are becoming more limited

- Ensure that you have sufficient finances and necessities, including medication, in case your travels are disrupted.

- Before traveling, verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any specific restrictions related to this situation and consider your transit points.

Restrictions that imposed could include:

- Entry bans, particularly for non-residents

- Exit bans

- Quarantines of 14 days or more upon arrival, regardless of where you are arriving from

- Health screenings

- Border closures

- Airport closures

- Flight suspensions

*Additional restrictions can be imposed suddenly. You should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance related to changes to your travel plans.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is closely monitoring the situation and Global Affairs Canada will provide updates as more information becomes available. Canadians should follow the advice of local health authorities and take precautions to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including frequent handwashing, practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and monitoring their health.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously. It provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel or stay abroad.

All travelers whose final destination is Canada are required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight.

Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact their nearest Canadian office or contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa directly at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls are accepted where available). An e-mail can also be sent to sos@international.gc.ca