Minister Garneau Announces Extension of Cruise Ship Ban in Canadian Waters

The Canadian government is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects that it is having on the marine and tourism sectors.

Given the current and ongoing situation with regards to COVID-19, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced the extension of measures pertaining to cruise ships and pleasure craft until February 28, 2021. This means:

Cruise ships with overnight accommodations carrying more than 100 people continue to be prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
All other passenger vessels must continue following provincial, territorial, local, and regional health authority guidance.
Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
Adventure-seeking pleasure craft also continues to be banned in Arctic waters.

The temporary measures for cruise ships were originally scheduled to end October 31, 2020.