Winter-weary Canadians eyeing a vacation have been told to spike travel plans
Sun flights suspended and vaccine shipment cut
OTTAWA — Winter-weary Canadians eyeing a vacation were told to spike travel plans Friday as Ottawa cancelled flights to popular sun destinations, and ordered all arrivals to test for COVID-19 and swallow hefty quarantine costs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the new restrictions are meant to discourage nonessential travel and reduce the spread of more infectious variants that could send domestic case counts soaring.
“With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying,” Trudeau said Friday from outside Rideau Cottage.
“By putting in place these tough measures now, we can look forward to a better time when we can all plan those vacations.”
Trudeau said all arrivals to Canada will have to quarantine in an approved hotel for up to three days at their own expense while they await results of a COVID-19 test taken at the airport.
He said that requirement, set to take effect “in the coming weeks,” could cost each traveller more than $2,000 and is in addition to the already mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 test.
Those with positive tests will isolate in designated government facilities, while those with negative results can serve the rest of the two-week quarantine at home.
The government will be watching to make sure travellers comply.
Transport Canada said screening officers in 35 cities will confirm new arrivals are indeed in quarantine, starting in Montréal and Toronto. Violations are considered an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to penalties including six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
Travellers must also submit COVID-19 related information electronically daily, and Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said another swab takes place on Day 10.
Federal officials made it clear that spring break holidays are off the table, and directed strong words at anyone who embarks on a recreational jaunt.
“If they’re going to make that choice then they should bear the full cost and responsibility of all the measures that are necessary to keep Canadians safe,” said Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, adding it’s not simply the cost of a hotel room.
“There are health measures, security measures, testing measures and transport measures, all of which we don’t believe that Canadian taxpayers should be on the hook for.”
Trudeau said Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat will suspend service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico starting Sunday until April 30. Starting next week, all international passenger flights must land at only four airports — in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal.
Airlines will help arrange the return of customers currently on a trip, Trudeau said.
Non-essential travellers will also soon have to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the United States. While the border is closed to non-essential travel, there are exceptions.
Trudeau said containing the pandemic will depend on an array of measures, including continued public health measures and vaccines for all, as soon as possible.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province will begin implementing its own mandatory testing program Monday at land borders and Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Ford said COVID-19 tests will be imposed on all incoming international travellers while public health labs will ramp up capacity to screen all positive tests for known variants within two to three days of initial processing, starting Wednesday.
Elsewhere, the travel clampdown was welcomed by provinces including British Columbia and Quebec, where deputy premier Geneviève Guilbault said her province “is very satisfied” after repeatedly calling for such measures.