Welcome Plan

1. Submit your West Vancouver Schools Student Arrival Details Form.
2. You must complete the ArriveCAN app before boarding your flight. An important confirmation email with a token number will be sent when this form is submitted.
3. Complete your COVID testing. The latest information on testing requirements can be found here.
4. Pre-register for COVID testing uppn arrival in Canada because take-home kits can expedite their connection process. Choose the proper company for your arrival;
   1. British Columbia airports – LifeLabs
   2. Alberta airports – Switch Health
   3. Ontario airports – Switch Health
   4. Quebec airports – DynaCare
5. Print a hardcopy of all your forms, receipts, etc to keep in your carry-on baggage

Note that this does not exempt students from the normal assessment of admissibility to Canada by Border Services Officers, and does not replace the usual procedure for seeking entry to Canada.

1. Begin to communicate and build a relationship with your host family
2. If your host family is open to having a meeting, use Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom to get to know one another. Exchange ideas about your hobbies, food favourites, pets, families and more.
3. If you will self-isolating with your host, discuss what isolation will look like in their home.
4. Share how you have been living during the COVID experience and the precautions taken in your country.
5. Exchange emails and phone numbers and program this set of information into your mobile phone.

1. All travellers must take a COVID test upon arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.There are three different types of self-isolation:
   1. Isolate with assigned host
   2. Isolate with temporary homestay
   3. Isolate arranged at private residence with a supervising adult such as a parent.
2. Make a plan for your physical and emotional wellness during quarantine. Is there anything you can bring to help keep you busy and entertained?
3. Read the article: How to self isolate after travel when you live with other family member
4. If you are staying with a West Vancouver Schools approved host family a nightly rate of $45 will be charged for days prior to February 1.

In addition to your personal items, you must ensure you have the following packed in your carry-on luggage. 

1. Passport
2. Study Permit or approval letter (if studying for 6 months or longer)
3. Letter of Acceptance from West Vancouver Schools International Programs
4. Custodianship documents, unless travelling with your natural parent
5. Proof of vaccination
6. Proof of negative COVID test within the guidelines of your country and airline
7. ArriveCan app, including full details of your host family or your natural parents
8. Non-discretionary Travel Letter (NDTL) from West Vancouver Schools International Programs
9. mobile phone, and all charging cables
10. proof of your pre-registration for arrival COVID test (if you chose this option)
11. a laptop, and all charging cables
12. masks (5 or more)
13. travel-sized bottle of hand-sanitizer (100 ml or less)
14. disinfectant wipes

We strongly suggest against booking any connection flights via the USA or booking connecting flights with tight timelines.

While in transit to the airport, in airports, and during the flight(s), a student must:

1. wear a medical mask that meets your airlines specifications (i.e. N95)
2. practice physical distancing (minimum 2 metres from others) when possible
3. wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face
4. use hand sanitizer regularly and as necessary, particularly before eating
5. sanitize your personal space and high-touch areas (armrests, seat belts, tray tables, screens)
6. touch as few surfaces as possible
7. keep mobile phone charged if using throughout the flight to watch movies or play games, clean it with a disinfecting wipe frequently
8. bring some food as restaurants or stores may be closed
9. be prepared for airline delays, re-routing, and cancellations

Upon arrival in Canada you should proceed through the airport while physical distancing. Please have all your documents from Step 4: Packing and departure ready for inspection when you undergo border screening. You should keep a back-up of your documents on your phone and computer.

If you need help at the airport go to the service desk or look for volunteers that can help you. At Vancouver International Airport, the volunteers are wearing green shirts.

At your first Canadian airport (it might not be Vancouver!), you will need to:

1. be ready to show your ArriveCAN receipt when seeking entry into Canada. Border services officers will verify that you submitted your arrival information using the ArriveCAN app.
2. receive a decision from the border guard about your self-isolation then pick up your baggage. The border guard may give you a colour-coded leaflet which explains what you must do for your isolation. You may be instructed to take a test at the airport or be given a self-administered test.
3. follow all instructions provided by the local Health Authority.
4. Exit into the arrivals area ad proceed to the designation meeting area for your driver.
   1. If you are being picked up by the school district booked service (Language Limousine), exit the baggage area and go directly to meet the driver. See the Upon Your Arrival 2022 from Language Limousine here.
   2. If you arranged your own transportation, please be sure to confirm a meeting spot.

Any travellers to Canada given a COVID test upon arrival are required to self-isolate until they receive a negative result. This means that you will have to stay in your own room and minimize contact with others.

 

Within 48 hours after entering Canada, you must report your arrival using the ArriveCAN app or call 1.833.641.0343. After arriving in Canada, Government of Canada officials may call you to monitor compliance with the mandatory self-isolation. You must be prepared to answer calls and you might also be visited in person by an officer. Please note that when contacting you during isolation to ensure compliance, the Canadian Government will never ask you for your financial information.

You must:

1. Confirm that you’ve arrived at the address you provided for your isolation location.
2. Keep your mask on when your enter your home and do not remove it until you enter your room. Also, keep it on whenever you are in common area (i.e kitchen, bathroom, etc)
3. Stay in your room as much as possible and away from others
4. Complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments during your isolation period through your ArriveCAN app.
5. Check in with your Homestay Coordinator by phone (Randene for West Vancouver Secondary at 604.313.0012 -or- Angela for Rockridge and Sentinel Secondary at 604.842.7578) or email (homestay@wvschools.ca).
6. Keep your room well-ventilated and clean – open your window to let the air circulate
7. Practice good hygiene:
   1. wash your hands frequently with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
   2. use a separate towel which is kept away from others.
   3. cover your mouth and nose with your elbow (or use a tissue) when coughing or sneezing – avoid coughing into either your hands or into the air. Dispose of used tissues right away into a trash bin and immediately wash your hands.
8. Use a separate bathroom if possible:
   1. Clean the bathroom regularly with household cleaning products
   2. Flush the toilet with the lid down
9. Keep bathroom and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, dressers, and other surfaces clean and disinfected frequently. Ask your host for the appropriate cleaner.
10. Keep personal items (toothbrush, cups, cell phone, tablets, laptops, etc.) separate from those belonging to others.
11. Package up your garbage. Empty garbage frequently and wash your hands immediately.
12. Find some time to go outside each day only if you can stay in a private place like the back yard. Do not go to school, shared spaces, or public areas.
13. Stay connected with a wifi connection using text, email, FaceTime and be creative to find ways to interact with your host family and International Programs staff.
14. Monitor your physical and mental well-being and reach out to your Homestay Coordinator for help.
15. Establish a ‘routine’ as quickly as possible (don’t stay awake all night and sleep all day)
16. Take care with laundry:
    1. all clothes worn during the flight should be washed as soon as possible
    2. Your clothes should be washed separately from other family members during this time.
17. Eat in your bedroom during your self-isolation. Complete additional testing kits, if required by the Health Authority.

When you receive your negative COVID test result, your self-isolation will be complete. Reach out to your Homestay Coordinator (see below for contacts)

 

If you have any symptoms, call 811 (COVID information line) to get advice and follow up with your Homestay Coordinator.

Even if you have received a negative result, you will still need to monitor your ArriveCan app.

 

Stay informed! Monitor your email account and mobile phone for emails or SMS from the International Programs team.

 

Here are some useful tips!