How People Are Evading Mandatory Quarantine Requirements
People who travel to the United States from Canada are required to quarantine when they return to Canada. However, people have managed to find a way to get around this rule. They are taking flights to the closest United States airport and then taking taxis across the border.
You don’t have to quarantine in a hotel if you don’t fly into Canada. However, you will still be required to quarantine at your home regardless of how you travel. The United States-Canada border is still closed to all non-essential travel, but taxis are considered an essential service.
Fines And Penalties Imposed
According to Canada’s official government website, there are not any specific fines or penalties if one uses this method to avoid having to quarantine in a hotel. However, the website does state if one does not comply with mandatory quarantine requirements, then they could be fine. One could also be imprisoned for violating the rules.
If you fail to isolate as required, then you could be charged a fine up to $750,000. People whose failure to quarantine or isolate results in death or injury could be fined up to $1 million.
Officials Say Now Is No Time to Travel
Patty Hadju is the health minister of Canada. She stated that now is not the time for anyone to be traveling outside of Canada. She said that no one in Canada should be booking a vacation any time soon. She did not say when the border will be re-opening. However, she did say that officials will be looking the metrics before they make any decisions.
Not only is Canada having a surge of cases, but many other parts of the world are also experiencing a third wave. Patty said that they also have to consider Canada’s ability to manage the Covid 19 pandemic domestically. Dr. Theresa Tam, who is the Chief Public Health Officer, agrees with Patty. She said that they have to look at what is going on inside and outside of Canada before they make any travel recommendations.
