Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 155, Number 3: ORDERS IN COUNCIL

January 16, 2021

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA

QUARANTINE ACT

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations)

P.C. 2021-1 January 6, 2021

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion, based on the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization, that there is an outbreak of a communicable disease, namely coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in the majority of foreign countries;

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the introduction or spread of the disease would pose an imminent and severe risk to public health in Canada;

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the entry of persons into Canada who have recently been in a foreign country may introduce or contribute to the spread of the disease in Canada or new variants of the virus causing COVID-19 that pose risks that differ from those posed by other variants but that are equivalent or more serious;

And whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that no reasonable alternatives to prevent the introduction or spread of the disease are available;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Actfootnote a, makes the annexed Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations).

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations)

Definitions

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in this Order.

Chief Public Health Officer
means the Chief Public Health Officer appointed under subsection 6(1) of the Public Health Agency of Canada Act. (administrateur en chef)
COVID-19 molecular test
means a COVID-19 screening or diagnostic test, as the case may be, carried out by an accredited laboratory, including a test carried out by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). (essai moléculaire pour la COVID-19)
dependent child
has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. (enfant à charge)
international single sport event
means an event that is governed by the sport's International Federation or its regional or continental counterpart, that has a nationally or internationally established qualification process, and that is identified as part of the long-term development plans for high-performance national team athletes of the National Sport Organization for that sport. (événement unisport international)
isolation
means the separation of persons who have reasonable grounds to suspect that they have COVID-19, who have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or who know that they have COVID-19, in such a manner as to prevent the spread of the disease. (isolement)
permanent resident
has the same meaning as in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. (résident permanent)
protected person
means a protected person within the meaning of subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. (personne protégée)
quarantine
means the separation of persons in such a manner as to prevent the possible spread of disease. (quarantaine)
quarantine facility
means a place that is designated under section 7 of the Quarantine Act or that is deemed to be designated under subsection 8(2) of that Act, and that is chosen by the Chief Public Health Officer. (installation de quarantaine)
signs and symptoms of COVID-19
include a fever and a cough or a fever and difficulty breathing. (signes et symptômes de la COVID-19)
temporary resident
means a temporary resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. (résident temporaire)
vulnerable person
means a person who
  • (a) has an underlying medical condition that makes the person susceptible to complications relating to COVID-19;
  • (b) has a compromised immune system from a medical condition or treatment; or
  • (c) is 65 years of age or older. (personne vulnérable)

Application

Non-application

1.01 This Order does not apply to a person who enters Canadian waters, including the inland waters, or the airspace over Canada on board a conveyance while proceeding directly from one place outside Canada to another place outside Canada, if the person was continuously on board that conveyance while in Canada and

Requirements Before or When Entering Canada

Entering by means other than aircraft – quarantine plan

1.1 (1) Subject to subsection (2), every person must, before or when entering Canada by a mode of transport other than an aircraft, provide to the Minister of Health a quarantine plan that includes, among other things, the civic address of the place where they plan to quarantine themselves during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada and their contact information for that period.

Exception

(2) Instead of providing the quarantine plan, every person referred to in section 6 or subsection 7.2(1) must, before or when entering Canada by a mode of transport other than an aircraft, provide their contact information for the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada to the Minister of Health.

Entering by aircraft — COVID-19 molecular test and quarantine plan

(3) Subject to subsection (4), every person who enters Canada by aircraft must meet the following requirements:

Exception — COVID-19 molecular test

(4) Subparagraph (3)(a)(i) does not apply to

Exception — quarantine plan

(5) Instead of providing the quarantine plan referred to in subparagraph (3)(a)(ii), every person referred to in section 6 or subsection 7.2(1) must, before boarding an aircraft for a flight to Canada, meet the following requirements:

Persons in transit

(6) Subsections (3) and (5) do not apply to a person who plans to arrive at a Canadian airport aboard an aircraft in order to transit to a country other than Canada and to remain in a sterile transit area, as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, until they leave Canada.

Persons Entering Canada

Requirements — questions and information

2 Every person who enters Canada must, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada or begins again under subsection 3(2) or 4(4),

Designation

2.1 The Chief Public Health Officer may designate any person as a public health official for the purposes of section 2.

Mask

2.2 (1) Every person who enters Canada and who is required to quarantine or isolate themselves under this Order must, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada or that begins again under subsection 3(2) or 4(4), wear a non-medical mask that a screening officer or quarantine officer considers suitable to minimize the risk of introducing or spreading COVID-19

Persons not subject to quarantine

(2) Every person who enters Canada and who, by virtue of section 6 or subsections 7.1(1) or 7.2(1), is not required to enter or remain in quarantine must, during the 14-day period that begins on the day on which they enter Canada, if they are in public settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained, wear a non-medical mask that a screening officer or quarantine officer considers suitable to minimize the risk of introducing or spreading COVID-19.

Non-application

(3) The requirements in this section do not apply if the non-medical mask needs to be removed for security or safety reasons.

Asymptomatic Persons

Requirements — asymptomatic persons

3 (1) Any person who enters Canada and who does not have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 must

Period begins again

(2) The 14-day period of quarantine begins again and the associated requirements continue to apply if, during the 14-day period, the person develops any signs and symptoms of COVID-19, is exposed to another person who exhibits signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19 under any type of COVID-19 test.

Cessation — daily reporting

(3) The reporting requirement set out in subparagraph (1)(c)(ii) ends if the person reports that they have developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 under any type of COVID-19 test.

Unable to quarantine themselves

4 (1) A person referred to in section 3 is considered unable to quarantine themselves if:

Requirements — quarantine at quarantine facility

(2) A person who, at the time of entry into Canada or at any other time during the 14-day period referred to in section 3, is considered unable to quarantine themselves must,

Change of place

(3) A person referred to in subsection (2) may, with the authorization of a quarantine officer, leave a quarantine facility before the expiry of the 14-day period in order to quarantine themselves at a place that meets the conditions set out in subparagraphs 3(1)(a)(i) to (iii), and, if applicable, must meet the requirements set out in paragraphs 3(1)(b) and (c).

Period begins again

(4) The 14-day period begins again and the associated requirements continue to apply if, during that 14-day period, the person develops any signs and symptoms of COVID-19, is exposed to another person who exhibits signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive for COVID-19 under any type of COVID-19 test.

Cessation — daily reporting

(5) The requirement set out in subparagraph (2)(d)(ii) ends if the person reports that they have developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 under any type of COVID-19 test.

Choice of quarantine facility

5 In choosing a quarantine facility for the purposes of subsection 4(2), the Chief Public Health Officer must consider the following factors:

Non-application — requirement to quarantine

6 Paragraphs 3(1)(a) and (b), subparagraph 3(1)(c)(ii) and section 4 do not apply to the following persons:

Consultation with Minister of Health

6.1 Conditions that are imposed under paragraph 6(f) must be developed in consultation with the Minister of Health.

Non-application — persons participating in projects

6.2 Paragraphs 3(1)(a) and (b), subparagraph 3(1)(c)(ii) and section 4 do not apply to a person who, under an arrangement entered into between the Minister of Health and the minister responsible for health care in the province where the person enters Canada, is participating in a project to gather information to inform the development of quarantine requirements other than those set out in this Order, if the person complies with any conditions imposed on them by the Minister of Health to minimize the risk of introduction or spread of COVID-19.

Non-application — medical reason

7 (1) Paragraph 3(1)(a) and section 4 do not apply to a person

Non-application — accompanying person

(1.1) If the person to whom quarantine requirements do not apply by virtue of subsection (1) is a dependent child or requires assistance in accessing medical services or treatments, the exception set out in that subsection extends to one other person who accompanies the dependent child or the person requiring assistance.

Non-application — other cases

(2) The requirements set out in sections 3 and 4 do not apply to a person if

Non-application — compassionate grounds

7.1 (1) Paragraph 3(1)(a) and section 4 do not apply to a person if the Minister of Health

Conditions

(2) The exception in subsection (1) applies if the person

Orders made under Quarantine Act

(3) For the purposes of any order made under section 58 of the Quarantine Act, the non-application of paragraph 3(1)(a) and section 4 under this section is a limited release from quarantine on compassionate grounds.

Non-application — international single sport event

7.2 (1) Paragraphs 3(1)(a) and (b), subparagraph 3(1)(c)(ii) and section 4 do not apply to a person in respect of whom a letter of authorization has been issued under subsection (2) and who enters Canada to take part in an international single sport event as a high-performance athlete or to engage in an essential role in relation to that event, if they are affiliated with a national organization responsible for that sport.

Letter of authorization

(2) The Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage may, if he or she considers it appropriate, issue a letter of authorization after receiving, from the individual or entity in charge of the international single sport event,

Conditions

(3) The exception in subsection (1) applies if

Consultation with Minister of Health

(4) Conditions that are imposed under paragraph (3)(d) must be developed in consultation with the Minister of Health.

Exception — leaving Canada

8 A person who must quarantine themselves under section 3 or remain in quarantine under section 4 may leave Canada before the expiry of the 14-day period if they quarantine themselves until they depart from Canada.

Symptomatic Persons

Requirements — symptomatic persons

9 Any person who enters Canada and who has reasonable grounds to suspect they have COVID-19, has signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or knows that they have COVID-19 must

Unable to isolate themselves

10 (1) A person referred to in section 9 is considered unable to isolate themselves if

Requirements — isolation at quarantine facility

(2) A person who, at the time of entry into Canada or at any other time during the 14-day period referred to in section 9, is considered unable to isolate themselves must

Change of place

(3) A person referred to in subsection (2) may, with the authorization of a quarantine officer, leave a quarantine facility before the expiry of the 14-day period in order to isolate themselves at a place that meets the conditions set out in subparagraphs 9(a)(i) to (iii), and, if applicable, must meet the requirements set out in paragraphs 9(b) and (c).

Choice of quarantine facility

11 In choosing a quarantine facility for the purposes of subsection 10(2), the Chief Public Health Officer must consider the following factors:

Non-application — medical reason

12 (1) Paragraph 9(a) and section 10 do not apply to a person

Non-application — accompanying person

(1.1) If the person to whom isolation requirements do not apply by virtue of subsection (1) is a dependent child, the exception in subsection (1) extends to one other person who accompanies the dependent child.

Non-application — other cases

(2) The requirements set out sections 9 and 10 do not apply to a person if

Exception — leaving Canada

13 A person who must isolate themselves under section 9 or remain in isolation under section 10 may, at the discretion and in accordance with the instructions of a quarantine officer, leave Canada before the expiry of the 14-day isolation period if they isolate themselves until they depart from Canada in a private conveyance.

Powers and Obligations

Powers and obligations

14 For greater certainty,

Transitional Provisions

Evidence of COVID-19 molecular test not required

15 (1) Subparagraph 1.1(3)(a)(i) does not apply to

Quarantine or isolation

(2) Paragraphs 4(1)(a) and 10(1)(a) do not apply to a person referred to in subsection (1).

Cessation of Effect

January 21, 2021

16 This Order ceases to have effect at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 21, 2021.

Repeal

Repeal of P.C. 2020-967

17 The Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 8footnote 1 is repealed.

Coming into Force

Day order is made

18 This Order comes into force at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 6, 2021.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

This Order in Council, entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations), is made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act.

The Order repeals and replaces Order in Council P.C. 2020-967 entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 8, which came into force on November 29, 2020.

This Order complements the Orders in Council entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any Country other than the United States) and Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States) and the Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 18.

This Order will be in effect from 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern standard time, on January 6, 2021, until 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern standard time, January 21, 2021.

Objective

This Order enhances Canada's focus on reducing the introduction and further spread of COVID-19 and new variants of the virus into Canada by decreasing the risk of importing cases from outside the country.

This Order maintains the previous requirements that all persons who enter Canada, whether by air, land, rail or sea, are required to answer questions to determine if they have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, and, with limited exceptions, quarantine or isolate for 14 days from the day upon which they entered Canada.

This updated Order generally requires travellers (five years of age and older) from any country who intend to enter Canada by air to provide proof of a current negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before the aircraft's initial scheduled departure time, with limited exceptions (e.g. crew members, persons deemed by the Chief Public Health Officer to be providing essential services, persons whose presence in Canada is determined by the Minister of Health to be in the national interest, those who are permitted to provide such evidence within another period of time under any other provision of the Aeronautics Act). Travellers will continue to be required to isolate if they are symptomatic and quarantine if they are asymptomatic for 14 days beginning on the day they enter Canada (subject to extension), with limited exceptions. Travellers arriving by air who are required to provide proof of a current negative COVID-19 molecular test and who do not provide this evidence must quarantine for 14 days at a designated federal facility near the port of entry, or at an alternate site deemed appropriate by a quarantine officer.

Background

COVID-19

COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus capable of causing severe illness, named the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is part of a family of viruses that includes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).

COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease is caused by a new strain of coronavirus never before seen in humans. Information about the virus, how it causes disease, whom it affects, and how to appropriately treat or prevent illness has been limited and based on best practices approaches to coronaviruses at large. Originally seen to be a local outbreak, COVID-19 has now affected the majority of countries around the globe. The science surrounding the virus continues to evolve. Assuming the continued supply of safe and effective vaccines, it is expected there will be enough vaccines to immunize everyone for whom vaccines are approved and recommended. It is anticipated that this will be accomplished by September 2021.

Coronaviruses are spread among humans primarily through the inhalation of infectious respiratory droplets (e.g. when an infected individual coughs or sneezes) and, in some situations, through aerosols, created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks. Coronaviruses are also spread through contact with objects or surfaces contaminated by infectious droplets. Human-to-human transmission is the main driving force of the current COVID-19 outbreak and is exacerbated by a lack of immunity in the general population.

COVID-19 has been clearly demonstrated to be a severe, life-threatening respiratory disease. Patients with COVID-19 present symptoms that may include fever, malaise, dry cough, shortness of breath, and damage to the lungs. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. Older individuals and those with a weakened immune system or an underlying medical condition have been seen to be at a higher risk of severe disease. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is currently estimated to be up to 14 days, with an average of 5 days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of what is now known as COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020. COVID-19 has demonstrated that it can cause widespread illness if not properly contained. The WHO continues to provide technical guidance and advice to countries for containing the pandemic, including identification of cases and recommendations for measures to prevent further spread. As case numbers continue to rise throughout Canada, there is concern for the domestic capacity to respond to the pandemic. An increase in the number of reported cases in hospitals and intensive care units may overwhelm the health system, further exacerbating the negative health impacts of the virus. The introduction of the new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 with suspected higher transmissibility may further worsen the negative health impacts of COVID-19.

On December 19, 2020, the United Kingdom announced that analysis of viral genome sequence data determined that a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 was spreading in the country, and that this new variant was significantly more transmissible (up to 70%) than previously circulating variants. In addition, South Africa has also identified its own novel variant of the virus. While early data suggests that these new variants may be more transmissible, to date there is no evidence that they cause more severe disease or have any impact on antibody response or vaccine effectiveness. Cases of the variant identified in the United Kingdom have now been identified in many countries around the globe, including a small number of cases in Canada and the United States. In particular, several cases of the variant identified in the United Kingdom have now been reported in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.

As new variants continue to spread in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and other countries, there is a strong rationale to require that travellers to Canada should test for COVID-19 prior to arrival in Canada to increase overall protection for Canadians, and prevent further introduction and transmission of all variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 into Canada. Over 170 countries and territories require a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test or medical certificate as a condition of entry into their jurisdictions. The United States, for instance, currently requires a negative pre-departure test three days prior to boarding for any passenger originating from the United Kingdom.

Government of Canada response to COVID-19 pandemic

The Government of Canada's top priority is the health and safety of Canadians. To limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada, the Government of Canada has taken unprecedented action to implement a comprehensive strategy with layers of precautionary measures. Measures include, for example, the establishment of a more than $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund, restrictions on entry into Canada for optional or discretionary travel, restrictions on cruise ship travel in Canada, and mandatory quarantine and isolation measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

Between February 3, 2020, and December 12, 2020, the Governor in Council has made 38 emergency orders under the Quarantine Act to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in Canada — to reduce risks from other countries, to repatriate Canadians, and to strengthen measures at the border to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in Canada.

Together, these measures have been effective. By limiting incoming travel to Canada, requiring mandatory quarantine for asymptomatic travellers (with some exceptions) and mandatory isolation for symptomatic travellers, the Government of Canada has reduced the proportion of travel-related COVID-19 infections from greater than 20% in March to less than 3% in all months since April 2020. The number of travellers to Canada from overseas (countries other than the United States) was down 95.2% from October 2019 to October 2020, and down 93.9% from the United States for the same period. While these measures cannot prevent COVID-19 from crossing the borders, they are effective at reducing the risk that community transmission will occur due to international travel.

On December 21, 2020, a Transport Canada notice to airmen (NOTAM) suspended all commercial and private passenger flights from the United Kingdom from entry into Canada for 72 hours. This suspension has since been extended until January 6, 2021. Passengers who arrived in Canada from the United Kingdom on December 20, 2020, were subject to secondary screening and enhanced measures, including increased scrutiny of quarantine plans. All travellers who have recently been in the United Kingdom or South Africa are now also subject to secondary screening and enhanced public health measures.

At this time, travel continues to present a risk of imported cases and increases the potential for onward community transmission of COVID-19. This is because the global number of cases of COVID-19 is rising at an accelerated pace, with sharp increases in cases in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Cases of COVID-19 in the United States also remain high.

Given the current lack of evidence on the extent to which new variants are spread outside the country of origin, timely efforts to prevent and control the spread of these variants should mirror those taken in the early phases of the pandemic. This includes avoiding non-essential travel to and from the affected areas as well as increased testing efforts, contact tracing and isolation of confirmed cases with epidemiological link to affected areas. It is not currently expected that these new variants will have an impact on the effectiveness of vaccines in early distribution. New information is emerging daily about additional, potential variants, and the countries which have confirmed variant cases, some of which are observed to have the potential for higher transmissibility.

The WHO has warned that in many countries, the second wave is already exceeding previous peaks. As of December 29, 2020, there were 18 972 813 detected cases in the United States, 10 224 303 detected cases in India, and 7 484 285 detected cases in Brazil. Canada has seen recent travel-related cases resulting from incoming travellers from India, Mexico and Europe. Domestically, the situation also continues to worsen. Several of the provinces and territories are reintroducing significant lockdown measures to control the spread of the virus and are warning of increasing pressure on health care facilities and long-term care homes. As of December 30, 2020, Canada's case count stood at 572 982, with 72 927 considered active cases. Based on current review of international experience, introducing new measures to further prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 and new variants of the virus in Canada are justifiable.

The Government of Canada is working with provincial governments and industry stakeholders to gather data on testing travellers entering Canada at select airport and border crossings through pilot programs. These pilot programs have demonstrated that the incoming disease burden of COVID-19 is approximately 1%, meaning that at least one person on every flight with 100 passengers to Canada has SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The pilots have also demonstrated that approximately 68.5% of positive cases are positive upon arrival and would be targeted by pre-departure screening prior to entering Canada. An additional 25.8% additional positive cases were identified on day 7 of their quarantine period, with another 5.6% identified by day 14. This affirms the need for ongoing vigilance in travellers testing negative upon entry to Canada and the importance of enhanced surveillance and enforcement during the quarantine period.

Given the global situation and dynamic environment presented by the pandemic, including the emergence of new variants, this rate can be expected to rise. In Canada, we are currently facing limited health care system capacity and a certain proportion of travellers will require the use of clinical resources for care. In addition, infected travellers can cause secondary infections to household members or in the community. If travellers are to continue to enter Canada, it is important to reduce the disease burden in traveller cohorts as much as possible before they arrive or get on the flight with other travellers. Evidence demonstrates that implementation of pre-departure COVID-19 molecular testing will reduce COVID-19 importation, related health care system demands, and secondary infections, compared to no pre-test options. Based on modelling done at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), pre-departure COVID-19 molecular testing between zero and three days has an approximate 70% efficacy while testing done between four and five days has an approximate 50–60% efficacy in preventing positive cases from arriving in Canada. Many countries around the world are requiring a pre-departure test as a condition of entry. In order to reduce the risk of importation of COVID-19 into Canada, pre-departure testing offers an additional layer of protection along with our existing quarantine activities.

Changes to international travel restrictions and advice are based on national and international evidence-based risk assessments. The Government of Canada recognizes that entry prohibitions and mandatory quarantine requirements place significant burden on the Canadian economy, Canadians, and their immediate and extended families. Entry prohibitions coupled with mandatory isolation and quarantine remain the most effective means of limiting the introduction of new cases of COVID-19 into Canada. With the potential advent of new, more transmissible variants of the virus, the Government of Canada continues to take a precautionary approach by increasing border restrictions, and restricting incoming travel from any country in an effort to preserve domestic health capacity in Canada and reduce the further introduction and transmission of COVID-19.

Implications

Key impacts for persons entering Canada

As was the case under previous orders, every person who enters Canada must answer any relevant questions asked of them and provide any information or record required, in any manner it may be reasonably requested, for the purposes of administration of this Order. Individuals will continue to be asked to confirm that they have a suitable location in which to either isolate or quarantine, that does not expose them to non-consenting vulnerable persons and provides them with access to the necessities of life.

The Order will continue to require all symptomatic persons who enter Canada to isolate and asymptomatic persons to quarantine for 14 days beginning on the day they enter Canada (subject to extension), with some limited exceptions. All persons who are required to quarantine or isolate must wear a non-medical mask upon entering Canada and while in transit to their place of 14-day quarantine or isolation, as applicable. Persons who are exempt from quarantine requirements are required to wear a non-medical mask when they are in public settings when physical distancing is not possible.

This updated Order generally requires travellers (five years of age and older) from any country who intend to enter Canada by air to provide proof of a current negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before the aircraft's initial scheduled departure time, with limited exceptions (e.g. crew members, persons deemed by the Chief Public Health Officer to be providing essential services, persons whose presence in Canada is determined by the Minister of Health to be in the national interest, those who are permitted to provide such evidence within another period of time under any other provision of the Aeronautics Act). Travellers will continue to be required to isolate if they are symptomatic and quarantine if they are asymptomatic for 14 days beginning on the day they enter Canada (subject to extension), with limited exceptions. Travellers arriving by air who are required to provide proof of a current negative COVID-19 molecular test and who do not provide this evidence must quarantine for 14 days at a designated federal facility near the port of entry, or at an alternate site deemed appropriate by a quarantine officer.

Penalties

Failure to comply with this Order and other related measures under the Quarantine Act is an offence under the Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $750,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. In addition, fines of up to $1,000 may also be issued for non-compliance pursuant to the Contraventions Act.

Consultation

The Government of Canada has engaged provinces and territories to coordinate efforts and implementation plans. In addition, there has been consultation across multiple government departments, including the Canada Border Services Agency; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Transport Canada; Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Health Canada; Canadian Heritage; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Employment and Social Development Canada; and Global Affairs Canada, given linkages to departmental mandates and other statutory instruments.

Contact

Kimby Barton
Public Health Agency of Canada
Telephone: 613‑960‑6637
Email: kimby.barton@canada.ca