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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces stricter restrictions on travelers in response to new, possibly more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus
TORONTO – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced tighter restrictions on travelers in response to new, possibly more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus – including forcing travelers to quarantine themselves at a hotel at their own expense upon arrival in Canada and suspending them. air service to Mexico and all Caribbean destinations until April 30.
Trudeau said that in addition to the pre-boarding test that Canada already requires, the government will introduce mandatory PCR testing at the airport for people returning to Canada.
“Travelers will then have to wait up to three days at an approved hotel for their test results, at their own expense, which should be over $ 2,000,” Trudeau said.
“Those with negative test results will then be able to quarantine themselves in their homes under significantly increased surveillance and enforcement.”
He said the measure would come into effect “in the coming weeks”.
The high cost of hotel stay includes the cost of a private PCR test, safety, food, and the cost of the steps designated hotels will need to take to ensure the safety of their workers.
“The cost is a ballpark. It is unlike any other installation. This is an area where there must be infection prevention measures, safety measures and other costs. It’s not just a regular hotel stay, ”said Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
Tam also said a test would be required on the 10th day after people return.
The prime minister said those who test positive will immediately be required to quarantine at designated government facilities to ensure they do not carry any particularly concerning variants.
Trudeau also said the government and major airlines in Canada have agreed to immediately suspend service to sun destinations. He said Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Air Transat are canceling air service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico from Sunday until April 30.
“They will make arrangements with their clients who are currently traveling in these areas to organize their return flights,” Trudeau said.
Mexico’s Department of External Relations said in a statement that “the Mexican government expresses its hope that the measure recently announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can be withdrawn as soon as possible, in order to avoid a deep economic crisis in the northern region. American.
Trudeau said that starting next week, all international passenger flights to Canada are to land at four airports: Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.
“We will also require, in the coming weeks, that non-essential travelers test negative before entering the land border with the United States, and we are working to meet additional testing requirements for ground travel. ”Trudeau said.
Canada is already requiring those entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days and present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of arrival.
Tam, Canada’s top health official, said security contractors would go door-to-door to check returnees who are isolating themselves at their homes.
Requiring a hotel stay on return would discourage the holidays as people would not want to have to quarantine themselves in a hotel at their own expense on their return.
“It’s excellent. It’s a shame it’s so late. It’s something they could have done a long time ago,” said Dr Andrew Morris, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Sinai-University Health Network.
“It’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
More and more governments are considering ways to be more aggressive due to new variants, delays in vaccines, challenges in immunizing the population and strain on health systems.
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said officials are urging Canadians to cancel all non-essential travel and are trying to eliminate it.
“Unfortunately, some are making the choice to engage in non-essential travel. If they make that choice, they should bear the full cost,” Blair said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province would begin testing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday as an interim solution until federal measures are in place.
Trudeau also announced that there will be a delay in part of the next Moderna vaccine shipment, which will arrive next week. He said Canada would receive 78% of the expected amount, or 180,000 doses.
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