Incoming travelers are required to spend three days in quarantine at designated hotels at their own expense pending test results.
To prevent the further spread of the outbreak, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced stricter international travel restrictions on Jan. 29, and the introduction of the new rules sparked strong reactions from the public.
As the federal government has yet to announce the exact timing and details related to the implementation of the new rules, it has caused anxiety for many travelers who have booked tickets and plan to fly to Canada in the near future. Canadian resident KhusbooTanna tweeted from Vancouver International Airport, “Does this apply to International Students?” Keai said, “My mom is coming, when will I be informed of the details, such as the quarantine hotel list?”
The three new quarantine rules are as follows.
From Jan. 31 to April 30, major Canadian airlines are suspending service to the Caribbean and Mexico; starting Feb. 3, all international passenger, private and charter flights, including those from the United States, will land at Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports; mandatory virus testing will be imposed on all incoming passengers, and federally planned incoming passengers will be required to stay in quarantine at designated hotels for three The federal government plans to quarantine incoming passengers for 3 days at designated hotels pending test results and pay at least $2,000 out-of-pocket, with an implementation date yet to be determined.
Quarantine for 3 days $2,000?
For the quarantine fee of more than 2,000 yuan, people have different opinions. Netizen Rita (Rita) questioned: “Why is it 2,000 yuan for a three-day hotel stay? It should be $500-600!”
Many international students said they could not afford the extra cost, and they thought it was unfair.
Michelle Penney Michelle Penney tweeted that the hotel is charging the highest fees to offset the loss of business.
Government: Costs include related expenses
It’s unclear whether two people sharing a room would have to pay the same fee.
The government said the payment would also cover related expenses, such as testing, transportation, hotel security and the cost of providing health protection for hotel employees. Presumably, meals will also be included.
Ottawa has no plans to force land-based travellers to segregate at hotels, at least not yet.
Are there exemptions to the new rules?
Mr. M. said that although he will not be traveling now, is there a specific government rule if he must travel because of a Family emergency. In particular, there should be an exemption for those who have obtained a negative test certificate before departing.
He also said that no rule should be set in stone and that measures should change. There is a balance to be struck between the measures and the rights we have under the Constitution.
Transport Canada stressed that “exemptions will be very limited.”
The government has said there will be “limited exceptions” to the hotel quarantine requirement, but has not yet determined who will be exempted. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested last Tuesday that there may be wiggle room for extreme cases.
Some snowbirds who have received the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida want to know if they can be exempted from the hotel quarantine requirement.
Ottawa says no, at least not yet.
Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. Wing Sze Tam, said on Friday that it’s unclear whether people who have been vaccinated could still contract the virus and, while not showing symptoms, could still infect others.
But one thing is clear, aviation experts say restrictions on flights to the Caribbean and Mexico are likely to trigger a bust in the airline industry and force some travel agencies to close.
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