Where can I find out more about COVID-19?
Customers are encouraged to consult the destination page on www.travel.gc.ca for the latest travel advice – the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will continue to adapt advice for travellers based on the latest science available. They should also register with the Government of Canada at www.travel.ca/register prior to travel.
Does Sunwing offer any COVID-19 insurance to cover me during my vacation?
Yes. Effective February 28, 2022, when you purchase Manulife Global Travel Insurance + Worry Free for Sunwing you will receive coverage for any unforeseen medical emergency or quarantine requirements related to COVID-19 as outlined in the terms and conditions of the policy, provided that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before your departure date, and the Government of Canada’s travel advisory for your destination does not instruct to “avoid all travel” or “avoid non-essential travel” due to COVID-19. More information can be found on the Travel Coverage page.
Am I required to wear a face mask while travelling through the airport or on board the aircraft?
Regardless of vaccination status, all travellers are still required to wear a non-medical face mask throughout their entire travel journey except for brief periods (not exceeding 15 minutes) while eating, drinking or taking oral medication, or unless otherwise exempt. Failure to comply with the Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19 could result in a fine of up to $5,000
The country you are visiting may also require that you wear a face mask on arrival at their airport, as well as in public spaces, including at your hotel. Please ensure you are familiar with the restrictions imposed by the local authorities at your destination and at your hotel before travelling.
Is there an obligation to wear a mask at the airport or on board my flight, even if travelling from a province/territory where this requirement has been lifted?
Although the epidemiological situation is improving domestically, the Government of Canada continues to recommend the wearing of a mask, especially in situations where physical distancing is hard to maintain such as seated on an aircraft, in customs hall or during a physical screening process. As Transport Canada continues to evaluate its COVID-19 guidance and requirements for the aviation industry based on advice from public health authorities, masks continue to be required at the screening checkpoint, during the boarding process, in flight, while deplaning, and in the customs and border processing area. This includes wearing a mask in the arrival testing area or when interacting with a public health or border services officer.
Can I purchase a face mask at the airport?
No, you must arrive at the airport with a non-medical mask already in your possession. Most airport stores are currently closed due to provincial and federal regulations and those stores that remain open have extremely limited stock.
What is considered an acceptable form of a non-medical face mask?
We recommend following the Government of Canada website around non-medical masks.
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Removable masks / face coverings SHOULD: |
Removable masks / face coverings SHOULD NOT: |
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ü Be made of at least 3 layers*: 2 layers should be made of tightly woven fabric (such as cotton or linen) and between these layers should be a layer of a filter-type fabric ü Cover the mouth, nose and chin completely and comfortably (without big gaps) ü Allow for easy breathing ü Fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops (masks covering a person’s beard or secured around a headwear (e.g. turban) are also considered acceptable) ü Be comfortable and not require frequent adjustments ü Be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty ü Maintain its shape after machine washing and drying |
x Be placed on children younger than 2 years old x Be placed on anyone who is unconscious x Be placed on anyone unable to remove them without assistance x Be placed on anyone with a medical certificate indicating they should not wear a mask x Be made exclusively of plastic sheeting, lace or mesh, or materials that easily fall apart (e.g., tissues) x Be shared with others x Impair vision or interfere with tasks |
Is there anything I need to do before I head out on my vacation?
With travel requirements changing rapidly as a result of COVID-19, it is your responsibility to regularly check the restrictions put in place by the border authorities of the country you are planning to visit as well as the Government of Canada website at www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. This includes travel restrictions and self-isolation plans as required under Canadian federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions. Travellers may also be subject to health screenings prior to boarding. Sunwing will not be responsible for and will not assume any expense in the event that you are refused entry into your country of destination or denied travel on your return flight due to these restrictions.
Travellers going to destination should also be aware that, starting January 15, 2022, if they have had or suspect they had COVID-19 between 10 and 180 days ago, they could carry confirmation of their previous positive PCR test result to show at check-in for their return flight to Canada (provided that the test result is dated no sooner than the timeframe indicated above).
Some countries also have mandatory health forms that must be filled out electronically before departure. Certain destinations may require a proof of vaccination or a negative result from a COVID-19 test upon arrival. Ensure you are familiar with the restrictions imposed by the local authorities at your destination. For more information on entry requirements, please visit the Destination Entry page on Sunwing.ca (powered by Sherpa). As requirements may change periodically, travellers are also advised to consult the country’s official tourist board website for the most up to date information:
Antigua: https://visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory/
Aruba: https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health-requirements
Bahamas: https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening
Costa Rica: https://salud.go.cr/
Cuba: https://gocuba.ca
Dominican Republic: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/newsroom/coronavirus/
Grenada: http://www.puregrenada.com/travel-advisory/ and https://covid19.gov.gd/
Jamaica: https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/
Mexico: http://afac.hostingerapp.com/ and https://www.aicm.com.mx/pasajeros/tips-para-pasajeros-2/aviso-importante
Mexico (Spanish only): https://coronavirus.gob.mx/ and http://afac.hostingerapp.com/ (Traveller Entry Form)
Saint Lucia: https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/
St Maarten: https://stmaartenupdates.com/
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information, we assume no liability or responsibility for the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of the information. It is the user’s responsibility to validate the information using up-to-date official government guidelines and recommendations.
We also strongly recommend that travellers download the Sunwing mobile app. The app offers a wide range of helpful features including real-time updates, 24/7 support, exclusive offers, entertainment and more.
What do I need to do prior to boarding my flight to Canada?
Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers 5 years of age and older who are permitted to enter Canada must provide proof of an acceptable COVID-19 test unless exempt. Negative molecular tests must be administered within 72 hours prior to departure. Alternatively Rapid Antigen Tests are also permitted provided they are administered the day prior to travel. Previously positive molecular tests will be accepted permitting they were conducted within 10-180 days. Note: Fully vaccinated travellers five years of age and older are not required to provide proof of a COVID-19 test before travel to Canada. As of April 25 2022, unvaccinated travellers under the age of 12 who are travelling with their vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor are no longer required to provide a COVID-19 test before travel to Canada.
Travellers to Canada must also use the most up-to-date version of the ArriveCAN app or website to digitally submit their travel history, contact information and proof of vaccination. This must be completed before boarding their flight to Canada, within 72 hours of their scheduled departure time. Travellers must be prepared to show their ArriveCAN receipt prior to boarding and when seeking entry into Canada.
What happens if I don’t get my COVID-19 test result before my return flight to Canada?
Beginning April 1st, fully vaccinated travellers five years of age and older will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before travel to Canada. As of April 25 2022, unvaccinated travellers under the age of 12 who are travelling with their vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor are also no longer required to provide a COVID-19 test before travel to Canada. All other unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers 5 years of age and older are still required to provide proof of an acceptable COVID-19 test.
If you are travelling with us as part of an all inclusive package, please contact your Sunwing representative via the Sunwing App who can assist with the booking of a new return flight and any additional accommodations. Alternatively, you can contact your travel agent directly to book a new flight or accommodations. Please note that all additional costs are the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Are unvaccinated children or dependents still required to quarantine if they are travelling with fully vaccinated adults who are eligible to enter Canada? If so, for how long?
Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor are not required to quarantine nor do they have to avoid group settings (i.e. camp, daycare, school, etc.). In addition, they do not have to provide a COVID-19 test prior to boarding a flight to Canada, but they may be subject to randomized on-arrival testing.
Unvaccinated youth aged 12 to 17 are subject to the 14-day quarantine, they are required to provide proof of a COVID-19 test prior to entry to Canada and are subject to on-arrival tests on day-1 and day-8, regardless of whether they are accompanied by travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated.
Unvaccinated adult dependents 18 years of age or older who are unvaccinated because of mental or physical limitations may enter Canada but must follow all testing and quarantine requirements, even when they are accompanied by parents or guardians who qualify as fully vaccinated.
For further information, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19 in destination?
You must remain in destination and will not be permitted to travel to the airport or board your return flight to Canada. Please defer to the directions provided by your hotel who follows the local government’s health and safety protocols. They can also advise if you are permitted to quarantine at the hotel. You should also alert the Sunwing Experiences team in destination that you will not be travelling using the "Contact Us" form available on Sunwing.ca or the Sunwing App. Your airport transfer will be cancelled once you complete the form. Once you are able to travel, you can request a new flight with Sunwing. All additional costs are the sole responsibility of the traveller – please contact your travel insurance provider and review your coverage for medical expenses and trip interruption if applicable.
Residual positive molecular test results (e.g. PCR, RT-LAMP, etc.) are acceptable for travel if taken at least 10 days but no more than 180 days prior to the scheduled departure flight to Canada as long as you are symptom-free. For example, if you tested positive in destination on February 1, 2022, the earliest you would be permitted to travel is on February 11, 2022.
Effective February 28 2022, if you test positive with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), you will need to schedule a COVID-19 molecular test (e.g. a PCR test) as soon as possible as residual positive RAT tests will not be acceptable for travel to Canada.
What COVID-19 tests are acceptable for entry into Canada?
For travel up to and including March 31, 2022, tests must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular test, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test. The test result must also include the following information:
- Traveller’s name and date of birth or age
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was conducted
- For negative tests – the COVID-19 molecular test must have been administered within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of the flight.
- For positive tests (Travellers that previously had COVID-19 but have since recovered and are still testing positive) – the molecular test must have been administered at least 10 days but no more than 180 days before the scheduled flight departure
- The type of molecular test conducted
- The test result
Note: Effective February 28, 2022 Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) administered the day prior to travel will also be accepted as an alternative to a COVID-19 molecular test.
Information is available on travel.gc.ca about local COVID-19 testing facilities for certain destinations. Travellers must ensure that the COVID test results include all of the above-noted information.
Beginning April 1st, fully vaccinated travellers five years of age and older are no longer required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before travel to Canada. The pre-departure testing requirement will remain in place for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers 5 years of age and older.
What is the definition of a fully vaccinated passenger for Canada?
To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller for Canada, you must have received:
- the full series or an acceptable combination of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine; and
- your last dose at least 14 full days prior to the day you travel
Effective November 30, 2021, the accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada are as follows:
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
- Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)
- Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
Note that the definition of a fully vaccinated passenger may vary from country to country. For more information on entry requirements for the destination you are visiting, please visit the Destination Entry page on Sunwing.ca (powered by Sherpa). As requirements may change periodically, travellers are also advised to consult the country’s official tourist board website for the most up to date information, including details on vaccination requirements if applicable.
Do I need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival into Canada?
All unvaccinated travellers are required to undergo a COVID-19 test on-arrival and on day-8, and must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to Canada.
Mandatory random testing will apply for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving in Canada by air to the four major Canadian airports, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. An email will be sent to travellers within 15 minutes of completion of the customs declaration form, should they be selected for on-arrival testing.
All testing for air travellers, for both those who qualify as fully vaccinated and partially or unvaccinated people, will be completed outside of airports, either via an in-person appointment at select testing provider locations and pharmacies, or a virtual appointment for a self-swab test.
Do I need to be fully vaccinated to board an aircraft departing from a Canadian airport?
For travel through June 19, 2022 all travellers aged 12 years plus 4 months and older, must be fully vaccinated to board a flight departing from Canada unless exempt and must provide evidence demonstrating that they are fully vaccinated.
Effective June 20, 2022, vaccination will no longer be a requirement to board a plane in Canada.
Am I required to purchase local health insurance for the country I am visiting?
Some countries do require you to purchase local health insurance upon arrival. With travel requirements changing rapidly as a result of COVID-19, it is your responsibility to regularly check the entry requirements put in place by the border authorities of the country you are planning to visit
Are there any travel restrictions within the country I am visiting?
Some countries have implemented local travel restrictions including curfews. Since changes are happening rapidly as a result of COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you consult the country’s official tourist board website for any restrictions put in place by the authorities of the country you are planning to visit:
Antigua: https://visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory/
Aruba: https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health-requirements
Bahamas: https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening
Costa Rica: https://salud.go.cr/
Cuba: https://gocuba.ca
Dominican Republic: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/newsroom/coronavirus/
Grenada: http://www.puregrenada.com/travel-advisory/ and https://covid19.gov.gd/
Jamaica: https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/
Mexico: http://afac.hostingerapp.com/ and https://www.aicm.com.mx/pasajeros/tips-para-pasajeros-2/aviso-importante
Mexico (Spanish only): https://coronavirus.gob.mx/ and http://afac.hostingerapp.com/ (Traveller Entry Form)
Saint Lucia: https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/
St Maarten: https://stmaartenupdates.com/
What is my hotel doing to protect me against the COVID-19 virus?
The hotels and resorts that we partner with are working hard to implement changes to ensure the health and safety of both customers and employees. Please visit our Safe with Sunwing page for more details.
What about my local transfers? Have any extra precautions been put in place to protect me against the COVID-19 virus?
Our local representatives will greet you at the airport wearing face coverings. Sanitation procedures on board transfer vehicles have been updated to the highest safety standards and vehicles are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each journey. We have also reduced vehicle capacity to limit the number of people on board and promote social distancing. Please visit our Safe with Sunwing page for more details.
Will local excursions be operating in the destination I am visiting?
Yes, excursions will be available. Our local representatives have implemented new health and safety protocols for our excursion offerings to help you explore your destination with peace of mind and make the most of your getaway. Please visit our Safe with Sunwing page for more details.
Do I need to provide proof of vaccination at the time of booking?
No, proof is not required at the time of booking but you may be required to bring proof with you to the airport for your departure.
I have a travel voucher (or travel credit) that I can no longer use as I will not have the necessary vaccination status to travel. Can I get a refund or transfer my voucher (credit)?
Travel vouchers/travel credits hold no cash value, are non-refundable and non-transferable.
I am booked to travel and I am sharing a double room. My travelling companion is not vaccinated and will need to cancel. Do I have to pay a single supplement surcharge?
Unless you replace your original travelling companion with another traveller, and request a name change (which is subject to a change fee), you will be subject to system rates which may include a single supplement.
I am booked as part of a group. We earned free travel because we met the minimum booking requirement. If some of my group decide to cancel because they will not meet the mandatory vaccine requirement, will we forfeit our group travel concession?
If your group does not meet the minimum group size to qualify for free travel, the concession will be removed from your booking and any balance owing will need to be paid.