Trudeau adds a new health measure to those crossing at the land border
As of February 15, non-essential travelers entering Canada through the land border will soon need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 upon arrival
According to an article published by CBC this afternoon, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced that non-essential travelers entering Canada through the land border will soon need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 upon arrival. Although border officers can’t legally deny Canadians entry into the country, those entering through the land border who arrive without proof of a test could face fines of up to $3,000 (CAD).
"As of February 15, when you return to Canada through a land border, you'll need to show a 72-hour PCR test, just like air travel. What we can do is in cases of no test to show [is] apply a stiff penalty, a fine and demand and ensure a rapid and complete follow up to make sure that they are getting tested, that they are being properly quarantined, that they are not putting at risk the safety of other Canadians by returning home without a clear negative test," explains Trudeau.
The new health and safety measure comes more than one month after the government decided that air travelers need proof of PCR tests three days in advance of flying home. Still waiting on a start date, the testing requirement is in addition to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for returning non-essential travelers.
Last week, Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer, stated that there is no exemption in place for Canadians who have already received a vaccine. Although the vaccines rolling out are effective for individual protection, they’re not 100% effectively. Since a traveler could be in the 10% of the population that might not have taken to the vaccine, she says it’s critical that we all continue to expect the public health measures and protocols.
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