To limit the spread of COVID-19, governments around the world have implemented new measures to control travel and immigration between borders. Canada is no different. The federal government has enacted multiple emergency orders to protect public health and minimize the risk of large scale COVID-19 transmission.<\/p>
After entering Canada (without a quarantine exemption), individuals must transit to their place of quarantine immediately, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms of the virus. They must remain at their place of quarantine until the 14-day period is complete. Individuals must organize the delivery of groceries, medicines, and other necessary goods as to remain in their place of quarantine on arrival. Public Health Officers can and have followed up with quarantined individuals by calling and visiting them to ensure they are abiding by the Quarantine Act<\/em>.<\/p> Individuals who breach their quarantine or do not adhere to their 14-day requirement have committed an offence under the Quarantine Act<\/em>. Maximum penalties include a fine of up to $750,000 or imprisonment for six months. Moreover, individuals who wilfully or recklessly contravene the Quarantine Act<\/em> may be liable for up to $1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to three years.<\/p> The Order in Council concerning mandatory isolation provides for exemptions from the quarantine requirement.[1]<\/a> Upon arrival in Canada, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Officers can communicate with the Public Health Agency of Canada to issue quarantine exemptions at the port of entry. Quarantine exemptions are issued on arrival in Canada. They cannot be issued beforehand for the majority of travellers, and they do not provide a blanket exemption for all future travel to Canada.<\/p> Once a traveler qualifies for a quarantine exemption, the individual is permitted to move freely, pursuant to local travel restrictions or health orders. However, individuals must wear a non-medical mask or face covering when unable to physically distance in a public space during the 14-day period they would have isolated for.<\/p> The most frequently applied for quarantine exemption for travellers into Canada is where a person\u2019s presence is required to perform an essential <\/strong>service in Canada.<\/p> Public Safety Canada has provided a list of sectors classified as essential due to their support of critical infrastructure and the effective functioning of society. They include:<\/p> To qualify for the essential service exemption, the individual entering Canada must prove that their job:<\/p> CBSA Officers will question travellers and ensure their jobs meet the high threshold of essentiality determined by Public Health.<\/p> In addition to the essential service exemption from quarantine, other exemptions exist based on specific circumstances. They include:<\/p> If you are interested in learning whether or not your travel to Canada may be exempt from quarantine, please do not hesitate to contact us<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To limit the spread of COVID-19, governments around the world have implemented new measures to control travel and immigration between borders. Canada is no different. The federal government has enacted multiple emergency orders to protect public health and minimize the risk of large scale COVID-19 transmission. After entering Canada (without a quarantine exemption), individuals must …<\/p>\n