Canada issues new set of orders for incoming travelers to control COVID-19 spread

The Canadian government has passed new orders for individuals entering Canada effective from February 21. These rules are in view of the Coronavirus pandemic and to prevent its spread. The rules include screening incoming travelers at the border and mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

If travelers do not comply with the rules or provide false information, then they will have to pay penalties or face imprisonment.

Before departure travelers to Canada must complete the following:

Plan for the 14-day quarantine before you travel. If you have entered Canada and show no symptoms, you must still quarantine yourself for 14 days

You must also have a mandatory booking for a three-night stay in a hotel in Canada at your own expense before you travel to the country.

You must also complete a molecular COVID-19 test 72 hours before your flight to Canada

Quarantine requirements

You will have to undergo quarantine even if you have tested negative for COVID-19, have got your vaccination or recovered from COVID infection.

You will have to take a COVID test at the end of your quarantine period and stay in the place of quarantine till your test result is negative.

If you display any symptoms during the quarantine period or come in contact with another traveler who has symptoms or test positive then you will have to begin another 14-day quarantine period.

Once you arrive in Canada, you must:

• Wear a mask
• Have answers regarding your health screening, eligibility and quarantine plans
• Provide all necessary information and documents
• Take a Covid test
• Get a test kit for later use during your quarantine

If you display symptoms on your arrival in Canada or have no definite quarantine plan, then you must go to a government designated quarantine facility.

If you have pre-booked a hotel, you must go there and wait for your test results. If the test result is negative, you must go to your place of quarantine and get a subsequent test done with the test kit.

If the test result is positive you should go to your place of quarantine and follow the instructions.

You must use the ARRIVECAN facility to check in on the day of your arrival and report your symptomsevery day.

Exemption from quarantine requirements

Certain categories of people are exempt from quarantine requirements, these include those:

• Providing essential services
• Working to maintain flow of essential goods and people
• Coming to Canada for medical treatment unrelated to COVID within 36 hours of arrival
• Regularly crossing the border for work purposes
• Living in trans-border communities

However, these people have to take precautions such as wearing a mask in public and maintain a list of the people they have contacted in their first 14 days in Canada.

 Canada has enforced strict rules for those entering the country in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of its people.