Traveling and vacations
If you are considering travelling, please make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
- Review any provincial travel restrictions, requirements and procedures. You can find the most up-to-date information on the Government of Alberta website.
- Review any federal restrictions, requirements and procedures on international travel. You can find travel restrictions, exemptions and advice on the Government of Canada website.
- Inform yourself about any restrictions where you intend to travel. For domestic travel, visit the web page of the province(s) you intend to visit. For international travel, visit the Government of Canada Travel Advisory page.
- Review any City policies and procedures regarding travel. You can do this on myCity.
I am planning personal travel. Should I take special measures?
The Federal Government provides the following travel advice:
COVID-19 – Travel advice
Community transmission of COVID-19 continues in many countries.
You should be fully vaccinated by completing a COVID-19 vaccine series in Canada or abroad at least 14 days before travelling. Be aware that although you are better protected against serious illness if you are vaccinated, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19.
If you’re unvaccinated, you remain at increased risk of being infected with and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 when travelling internationally. You should continue avoiding non-essential travel to all destinations.
Regardless of your vaccination status:
- Stay informed of COVID-19 activity at your destination, which can vary significantly and change quickly from one country to another and within regions of the country
- Use personal protective measures (like wearing a mask, washing hands and maintaining physical distancing where possible)
- Follow any additional local public health measures while travelling
- Follow health advice for all cruise ship travel
- Check Canadian travel requirements
You can find more travel restrictions, exemptions and advice online. More information is available on the Government of Canada’s Travel Health Notices page.
Additionally, it is important that you stay up to date on changes to travel insurance coverage. MEBAC’s health insurance provider Green Shield Canada is providing coronavirus-related updates on its website. This includes information about changes to coverage when travelling outside the province.
You can sign up to receive Green Shield Canada updates directly through email. Log in to your account at greenshield.ca, then go to “My Profile”, “Authorizations” and select “Yes, I want to receive information about new products and services offered by Green Shield Canada.”
Calgary firefighters (IAFF Local 255 members) should consult the Alberta Blue Cross website for the latest coronavirus-related updates to their coverage.
How soon can I come back to work after international travel?
The Federal Government says all travellers are eligible to enter Canada if they qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller regardless of citizenship.
Canadians are always eligible to enter Canada but may need to complete random COVID-19 tests at the border and mandatory isolation quarantine if they test positive. Read related info to be fully prepared.
International travellers arriving in Alberta must still follow federal travel requirements.
There are no other requirements from The City.
Can The City dictate where I can go for vacation?
As your employer, The City cannot limit where its employees can travel on their vacation, however, we strongly advise you to check all travel regulations set out by the Government of Canada as well as those in the place which you are visiting. More information is available on the Federal Government’s Travel Health Notices page.
If you are still planning to travel, it is important that you stay up to date on changes to travel insurance coverage. MEBAC’s health insurance provider, Green Shield Canada, is providing coronavirus-related updates on its website. This includes information about changes to coverage when travelling out of the province.
Sign up to receive Green Shield Canada updates directly through email: log in to your account at greenshield.ca, then go to “My Profile”, “Authorizations” and select “Yes, I want to receive information about new products and services offered by Green Shield Canada.”
Calgary Firefighters (IAFF Local 255 members) should consult the Alberta Blue Cross website for the latest coronavirus-related updates to their coverage.