National Post (National Edition)
Police not detaining people who walk away
Travellers opting to risk $880 fine
Some travellers arriving at Toronto's Pearson airport are walking out instead of footing the bill for mandatory quarantine hotel stays, just days after the federal government issued new protocols to curb the spread of variants in the country.
Peel Region police said that while most cases were resolved after conversations with officers, some people refused to follow the rules that took effect Monday and were fined $880 under Ontario regulations.
Akhil Mooken, a spokesperson for Peel police, confirmed that officers are not arresting people who refuse to check into quarantine hotels.
“Unless there are some serious or aggravating circumstances where the public safety is at risk, we are not ... detaining individuals who are not complying with the regulations under the Quarantine Act,” Mooken said.
Peel officers are working with the Public health Agency of Canada to monitor arrivals at Pearson, with the police holding the power to charge travellers at the airport.
While travellers might be able to dodge mandatory quarantine in a hotel — which can cost up to $2,000 for the required three-day stay — that doesn't mean Public health won't follow up and retroactively fine them, Mooken said. The fine could be up to $1,800 per person, per day.
A spokesperson for Public health confirmed that, under the act, a person who disobeys the mandatory quarantine could face a maximum penalty of $750,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
A source familiar with the situation at Pearson airport said police “do not have the manpower” to “stop all these people, issue them fines, do the follow-ups, make sure they're complying.”
The source said enforcement of the Quarantine Act is “all being done by the public health agency.”
The National Post contacted police departments in all four cities that have federally mandated quarantine hotel stays. rCMP in richmond, b.C., and the Calgary police did not respond in time for publication. A Montreal police spokesperson did not answer questions about whether travellers are dodging quarantine hotels.
The Quarantine Act mandates that anyone arriving in Canada by air must test negative for COVId-19 before arrival, take a test upon arrival, and isolate in a government-authorized hotel for three days while awaiting the results.
Travellers must cover the costs of their quarantine stay, which may also include the bill for food, security and transportation, states the government website.
After the three days, they have to complete the rest of their 14-day quarantine at home. dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel region's medical officer of health, said Wednesday that the quarantine measures are in place to protect the public.
“It's unfortunate (...) that this might be occurring,” said Loh. “Please remember that it's a disease that spreads from person to person and it takes all of us to do our part.”
Patrick brown, the mayor of brampton, Ont., just north of the airport, said that people who choose to ignore the regulations are being selfish.
“by not being mindful that you can bring dangerous variants into the country, you're being selfish to your neighbours, to your city,” said brown. “I hope that people do abide by the new stricter guidelines.”
Some travellers who have paid for their hotel stays are displeased with the price and the hard rules.
Kirti hooda, who arrived at Pearson airport from India on Monday, said she couldn't quite see the point.
She and her travel companion are the only residents of their house in nearby brampton and will also be sharing a room at the Sheraton Four Points.
“At home, we are two people and in the room here we are two people,” said hooda. “So there is no use for this.”
Michelle Fernandes, who was travelling on her own from India as well, said the stay cost her $1,100 including meals delivered to her room. That's just over half the $2,000 that government officials cited when the policy was announced.
even so, for some “affordability is a question,” she argued. “For a family, you could pay three or four thousand. For three days you're paying $4,000 for your family to quarantine. It's not worth it.”