Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers arriving by plane to Canada will take effect on February 22.
“These border measures will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and new variants,” Trudeau told a news conference Friday.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu confirmed that people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine were not currently exempt from these requirements.
“The research is still evolving and emerging on reducing contagion for people who may contract COVID-19, despite being vaccinated and despite a less serious case,” Hajdu said.
What is the quarantine process for travelers entering Canada?
Non-essential travelers by air to Canada must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure. Evidence of a negative test result must be with them when traveling. They must submit their contact and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app before boarding an aircraft.
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair confirmed that 93 percent of air travelers are not emergency travelers.
From February 22, travelers must take a COVID-19 test when arriving in Canada at their own expense before leaving the airport.
Travelers will then go to a quarantine hotel until their test result is back, up to three days. They must book their stay before arriving in Canada. Hajdu has indicated that the hotel booking information will be available online on February 18.
Travelers must stay in a hotel in the city where they are first arriving in Canada. If their test is negative, they can take a connecting flight to their destination. All international passenger flights can only land at the airports of Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Montreal.
Travelers have to pay for their hotel room and the associated costs for food, cleaning and security, which were previously estimated at about $ 2,000, but Hajdu said the cost can vary from hotel to hotel.
Anyone returning to Canada must complete a 14-day quarantine with ‘significantly increased supervision and enforcement’, while someone who tests positive is moved to a government facility to go into quarantine.
Hajdu confirmed that travelers should take another COVID-19 test at home on day 10 of their quarantine period, which will be arranged with their local public health authority.
What are the rules for travelers arriving at land border crossings?
From 15 February, anyone traveling through a land border crossing to Canada will have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of entering.
Hajdu said vital workers, such as truck drivers, emergency services providers and cross-border communities, would be exempted from this requirement and the government would continue to assess exemptions “on a case-by-case basis.” Blair confirmed that about five percent of people arriving at land borders are not considered necessary.
“There are already a number of exceptions for essential travelers and we continue to look for ways to make sure we keep them safe and keep the Canadians safe, even if essential commercial and medical services cross the border,” the premier said. minister said.
“At the same time, we are aware that we need to be considerate and compassionate about people who are in extremely difficult situations and absolutely must travel. We are not trying to punish people, we are trying to keep people safe and keep Canadians safe from the virus and discourage all travel that is not essential, and making sure that if people do have to travel, they do the things we can be sure of, will prevent the virus from spreading further in Canada. ‘
Trudeau confirmed earlier this week that Canadians could not be deported across borders without proof of a negative test, but could face a fine of up to $ 3,000 or a criminal prosecution and could be referred to a designated quarantine facility.
Blair confirmed that all foreign nationals who do not have a valid molecular test may not have access to Canada.
From February 22, travelers will be expected to take the COVID-19 molecular test upon arrival and another test at the end of their 14-day quarantine.
Travelers will need to use the ArriveCAN app to submit contact information and a “suitable” quarantine plan.