UBCO

BIRS-UBC-O Covid-19 Travel Info

International Travel Requirements

Entry eligibility

Please visit the following link to check if you are eligible to enter Canada and to learn about what entry requirements will apply to you during travel Government of Canada entry information International travellers may be subject to on arrival PCR testing. If you are selected for a test and are required to isolate you will need to check into a hotel near the Kelowna airport. (The Four Points Sheraton Kelowna is the closest one.) BIRS-UBC-O cannot accept travellers who are in a quarantine period following a positive test. Participants entering Canada should download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app before their departing flight for the most up-to-date travel information before and after entry to Canada:

ArriveCAN App

ArriveCAN Quarentine Plan

Choose a hotel near the Calgary International Airport as a quarantine location for the purposes of your "Quarentine Plan" for entering Canada with the ArriveCAN app, e.g. Four Points Sheraton Kelowna. You'll need to enter the hotel address in the ArriveCAN app as part of the screening process. It is not necessary to make a reservation at the hotel.

BIRS-UBC-O cannot provide quarantine accommodation in Kelowna for travellers who test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Kelowna. If you test positive for Covid-19 at the airport, please follow the instructions of Canadian Border Services.

Return travel

Many countries (including the United States) require air passengers to provide a negative Covid-19 test result before boarding their return flight from Canada. Please take time to look into your home country’s regulations before you arrange your return travel itinerary. Some countries require negative PCR or molecular tests, while others accept negative antigen tests.

Testing for return travellers can be done at the KelownaAirport international departure terminal.

Mask Requirements at UBC-O

Non-medical masks are required in all buildings on the UBC-O campus including the meeting rooms in the SCI, ADM and ASC buildings. You can learn more by reading the UBC COVID-19 Campus Rules here. Note also that students, faculty and staff who take part in academic activities outside of university campuses are still required to wear a mask if mandated by a Public Health Order; for example, in health care settings.

Covid Testing

Covid tests are available at the airport.

Information for a Participant Contracting Covid at BIRS-UBC-O

In the unfortunate event that a BIRS-UBC-O workshop participant contracts COVID, a five-day quarantine period will be required. BIRS-UBC-O accommodations are not equipped to handle quarantine circumstances, but BIRS-UBC-O staff can assist with finding alternative accommodations off-campus. The hotels near the campus can be booked at the Interior Health room rate, which includes food and lodging. Please note that the additional expenses must be borne by the participant.

It is strongly recommended that visitors to BIRS-UBC-O obtain travel insurance that covers hotel costs and meals in case self-isolation is a requirement. This is in addition to flight policies and international regulations specific to each traveller.