IMPORTANT NOTICE

Canada lifts Global Travel Advisory to avoid non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Canadians

On October 21, 2021, the Government of Canada lifted its Level 3 Global COVID-19 Travel Advisory to avoid non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Canadians

COVID-19 travel advisories are now being issued on a country/regional basis.

As a result, travel advisory levels have now been lowered for many popular snowbird destinations to Level 1 or Level 2 for fully vaccinated travellers.

The following travel advisories remain in place:

•  Level 3 advisory for unvaccinated Canadians to avoid non-essential travel
   
•  Level 4 advisory to avoid all cruise ship travel outside Canada.

You can find current travel advisory levels for popular snowbird destinations by clicking on the links below:

• United States
• Mexico
• All other destinations

Important Vaccination Requirements for Travellers

• Beginning on November 8, 2021, all travellers entering the United States by land, air or sea will be required to be fully vaccinated
   
• Beginning on October 30, 2021, all travellers age 12 years and older must be fully vaccinated to board a plane, train or marine vessel in Canada (however, there will be a brief "transition period" until November 30, 2021, during which time travellers will be able to present a valid negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of travel as an alternative to proof of vaccination).

How does this affect my travel insurance coverage options?

Manulife Policies

Due to the change in Government of Canada travel advisory levels on October 21^st, we are pleased to announce that our Standard and Personalized Manulife travel medical insurance policies that provide $10 Million CAD in coverage for emergency medical care now cover eligible COVID-19 related medical expenses if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to your departure date, and
    
2. The travel advisory level for your destination is either Level 1 (Exercise Normal Security Precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise a High Degree of Caution)

Both policies are available in Single-Trip and Multi-Trip Annual plan options.

These policies can now be purchased online, as well as by phone.*

* Top-ups, Extensions and Personalized Multi-Trip Annual plans are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Blue Cross Policies

Our Ontario Blue Cross® travel insurance policies are unaffected by the October 21^st travel advisory change and continue to provide $5 Million CAD in coverage for emergency medical care, including COVID-19-related medical expenses, for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

These policies are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Cruise coverage

Our Ontario Blue Cross travel insurance policies are unaffected by the October 21^st travel advisory change and continue to provide emergency travel medical coverage for cruises. Up to $5 Million CAD in coverage, including coverage for COVID-19, for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

These policies are only available for purchase by phone by calling 1-855-478-3490.

Travellers who are NOT Fully Vaccinated

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, we still have COVID coverage options available by phone. Please call us at 1-855-478-3490 for assistance.