It looks like the Atlantic Bubble is making a comeback! For the second year residents of Atlantic Canada will be able to travel freely within the region’s borders without the need for quarantine.
So what do you need to know about the 2021 version?
What is the Atlantic Bubble?
The Atlantic Bubble was created for the first time in July 2020 as a response to COVID-19. The four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador had each had travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Since the measures had worked so well and the level of infection in each province was very low that summer, they opened up their borders to each other without the need for any quarantine.
The Atlantic Bubble lasted until late November 2020 when COVID-19 transmission showed signs of increasing. PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador were the first to withdraw from the bubble with New Brunswick following two days later.
What’s happening with the Atlantic Bubble in 2021?
June 15, 2021 Update: The Atlantic Bubble will be opening on June 23, 2021 to all residents of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. PEI will open on June 27, 2021 to visitors from Atlantic Canada who’ve had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The 2021 Atlantic Bubble was set to re-open on April 19th with all four provinces participating. This was contingent on cases remaining low with the caveat of alterations if regions experienced flare ups. This was then delayed due to a flare up in New Brunswick and then post-posted indefinitely following further flare-ups in the region. So if you’re an Atlantic Canadian resident planning an in-region vacation, be sure to check on cancellation policies, in the event of future bubble changes.
“While COVID-19 remains a serious concern, premiers are encouraged by Atlantic Canadians’ adherence to public health measures, the containment of regional outbreaks, and the progress in rolling out vaccines,” the Atlantic Council of Premiers said in a release.
The opening of the region to the rest of Canada without quarantine restrictions will be on hold for the time being until more of the population has been vaccinated.
Who can visit?
The Atlantic Bubble is for residents of the four Atlantic Canadian provinces. If you have ID showing this you can freely travel in the region. Each province has its own regulations for travellers from outside the bubble. Identification will be checked upon entry to each province.
If you reside elsewhere, be warned that entry into one province does not mean that you can freely travel to the other three. Be sure to check each province’s regulations if you’re arriving from somewhere outside Atlantic Canada:
