As of this week, crossing the border by air or land to come to Canada will become much more complicated and costly for international travelers as Canada attempts to push back the emergence into the world of a whole series. new variants of COVID-19.
This tightening will be done in two stages, one starting today with the obligation to provide proof of a negative test at the land borders and the second stage a week later, on February 22, will lead to mandatory quarantine in hotels for international air travelers.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained on Friday that he essentially wanted to discourage “all non-essential travel.” “We realize that we need to be attentive and compassionate towards people who find themselves in extremely difficult situations and who absolutely need to travel. We are not trying to punish people ”.
(Radio-Canada graphic)
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On its website, the Public Health Agency of Canada communicates the following details: “As of February 15, 2021, all travelers, with a few exceptions, arriving in Canada by land will be required to present proof of receipt. a negative result on a molecular test for COVID-19 performed in the United States within 72 hours before their arrival.
Those who show up without proof of a test could be fined up to $ 3,000.
As of February 22, 2021, travelers entering Canada by land will also be required to undergo a molecular test for COVID-19 upon arrival in Canada as well as another test at the end of their 14-day quarantine period. .
Essential workers, such as truckers and emergency service providers, as well as cross-border populations, will be exempt from the requirement, but it was learned on Sunday that the federal government plans to test essential workers who cross the land border as well. The details are in preparation.
Canada wants to test essential workers crossing the land border. READ MORE
The situation for travelers arriving in Canada by air
(CBC)
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As of February 22, air travelers landing in Canada will be required to self-quarantine in a hotel at their own expense.
The Agency specifies on this subject, “all travelers, with a few exceptions, arriving by air will have to undergo a molecular test for COVID19 on their arrival in Canada and before leaving the airport, as well as to another test near the end of their 14-day quarantine period.
With few exceptions, travelers arriving by air will also need to book a three-night stay in a government-approved hotel prior to their departure to Canada. Travelers must stay at the hotel where they have a reserved room, for a period of up to three nights and at their own expense, pending the result of the screening test undergone on their arrival. The government estimates that the cost per person for its three overnight stays should reach $ 2,000, which will have to be fully paid for by travelers.
Travelers will need to book their room at a hotel located in the first city they arrive in Canada and close to one of the four international airports where international arrivals are permitted, namely Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said that “The price will include costs related to room, food, cleaning, infection prevention and control measures, security as well as transportation.”
Information on hotel room reservations will be available online as of February 18, 2021. Only certain hotels will be allowed to accommodate travelers who will be monitored by security personnel.
RCI with CBC News and the Public Health Agency of Canada
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