Additional measures for travellers in order to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect most vulnerable people

April 14, 2020

Public Health Agency of Canada

Additional measures for travellers in order to help prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect most vulnerable people.

The Government of Canada’s top priority is the health and safety of Canadians. Canada is taking unprecedented action to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Any traveller arriving in Canada—whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic—can not isolate or quarantine in a place where they would be in contact with people who are vulnerable, such as adults aged 65 years or over and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Every traveller will need to:

• confirm in advance of arriving in Canada that they have a suitable place to isolate or quarantine, where they will have access to basic necessities, such as food and medication. Those who do not have an appropriate place in which to isolate or quarantine themselves will have to go to a place designated by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada;
• wear a non-medical mask or face covering to proceed to their final destination where they will isolate or quarantine. Masks will be provided to them in case they do not have one.

These new mandatory measures are an additional layer in Canada’s actions to protect the health of Canadians, including persons aged 65 and over and people with pre-existing medical conditions, who are at greatest risk of severe health complications related to COVID-19.

Quick facts

• Spot checks will be conducted by the Government of Canada to verify compliance;
• Maximum penalties include a fine of up to $750,000 or imprisonment for six months, or both, for failure to comply with this Order and
• A person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while willfully or recklessly contravening the Quarantine Act or the regulations could be liable for a fine of up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both.