Stricter testing, quarantine rules for travellers to Canada coming Feb. 22

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The feds have now clarified when our new travel restrictions are set to kick-in. The extended clampdown will begin on Feb. 22.

The new rules include mandatory testing for anyone arriving by air into Canada. That test will have to be done before travellers leave the airport. Another test will be required near the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

The first three days of that quarantine will have to be spent in a government-authorized hotel at the traveller’s expense. Bookings for those stays will be open as of Feb. 18.

Here are the new travel restrictions:
Feb 15 – all travellers arriving in Canada need negative test from last 3 days.
Feb 22 – all travellers need test on arrival.
Air travellers have a 3-day stay in hotel at own cost.
All travellers have to submit quarantine plans #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Amch7CFv8r

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 12, 2021

“These border measures will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and new variants,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, adding exemptions are going to be made for essential workers.

However, Trudeau has made it clear no one should be traveling right now for non-essential reasons.

“We’re not trying to punish people. We’re trying to keep people safe,” he added.

People who receive their test results earlier than 3 days can leave quarantine hotels to move on to their homes to continue their mandatory 2 week quarantine. Charges from the hotel will reflect the amount of time travellers have spent there #cdnpoli

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) February 12, 2021

The government has already restricted international flights to four airports and demands pre-flight negative test results.

At our land borders, travellers will also have to present a negative test.

Those arriving into Canada are already subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine and many must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their arrival.

Related:

• Negative COVID-19 test to be required at Canada’s land borders starting Feb. 15

• Ottawa lays out criteria for quarantine hotels as it inches toward new travel rule

Meanwhile, there is some good news on the vaccine front. The prime minister said he’s spoken with the CEO of Pfizer and an updated delivery schedule confirms we will get our 4 million doses from that company by the end of March.

He added we’re getting more doses than first thought for the second quarter, and we will receive 10.8 million doses of Pfizer between April and June.

The prime minister also announced the government is purchasing an additional 4 million doses of the Moderna shot, which should be arriving over the summer.