Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers arriving in Canada by air will take effect on February 22.
“These border measures will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and new variants,” Trudeau told a news conference on Friday.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu confirmed that people who received the COVID-19 vaccine are not currently exempt from these requirements.
“Research is still developing and emerging around the reduction of infectiousness in people who can contract COVID-19, despite being vaccinated and despite having a less serious case,” said Hajdu.
What is the quarantine process for travelers arriving in Canada?
Non-essential travelers to Canada by air must take a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before departure. Proof of a negative test result must be with them during the trip. They must submit their contact and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app before boarding a plane.
Minister of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness, Bill Blair, confirmed that 93 percent of air travelers are non-essential travelers.
Beginning February 22, travelers are required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Canada, on their own, before leaving the airport.
Travelers will then go to a quarantined hotel until the test result is returned, within three days. They need to book their stay before arriving in Canada. Hajdu indicated that the hotel’s booking information will be available online on February 18.
Travelers must stay at a hotel in the city where they arrive in Canada. When the test is negative, they can take a connecting flight to their destination. All international passenger flights can only land at Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Montreal airports.
Travelers are expected to pay for their hotel room and costs associated with food, cleaning and security, which were previously estimated at around $ 2,000, but Hajdu said costs may vary from hotel to hotel.
Anyone returning to Canada must complete a 14-day quarantine with “significantly increased surveillance and enforcement,” while anyone with a positive result will be transferred to a government quarantined facility.
Hajdu-confirmed travelers are required to take another COVID-19 test on the 10th of their quarantine period at home, which will be arranged with the local public health authority.
What are the rules for travelers arriving at land border crossings?
As of February 15, anyone traveling to Canada via a land border crossing will require proof of a negative COVID-19 test done 72 hours after entry.
Hajdu said essential workers, such as truck drivers, emergency service providers and cross-border communities, would be exempt from this requirement and the government would continue to assess exemptions “case by case”. Blair confirmed that about 5% of people who reach land borders are considered non-essential.
“There are already a number of exceptions for essential travelers and we continue to look for ways to ensure that we are keeping them and Canadians safe, even as trade and essential medical services cross the border,” said the prime minister said.
“At the same time, we are aware that we need to be considerate and compassionate to people who are in extremely difficult situations and absolutely need to travel. We are not trying to punish people, we are trying to keep them safe and keep Canadians safe from the virus and discourage all non-essential travel and ensure that, if people need to travel, they are doing the things that we can be sure will prevent the virus from spreading further in Canada. “
Trudeau confirmed earlier this week that Canadians without proof of a negative test cannot be refused at land borders, but can face a fine of up to $ 3,000 or a criminal case and can be referred to a designated quarantine facility.
Blair confirmed that all foreigners who do not have a valid molecular test will not be allowed in Canada.
Beginning February 22, travelers are required to take the COVID-19 molecular test on arrival, and another test at the end of the 14-day quarantine.
Travelers should use the ArriveCAN app to submit contact information and an “adequate” quarantine plan.