Thought of the Day - February 22 - New Quarantine Measures

The new hotel-based quarantine measures come into effect today. People who travel by air, regardless of citizenship, face new measures and expenses when they return to Canada. Basically, you need to have signed up on ArriveCAN, have the results of a pre-departure test (does not say it needs to be negative), be prepared to take another test when you arrive, and then head to your designated "Stop Over Hotel".

You are to use these "Stop Over Hotels" while awaiting your arrival test result, usually three nights at a cost of around $1,500 (meals are provided). They're for people who:

• don't have symptoms

• have a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result

• aren't close contacts of people who have or may have COVID-19

Not sure what happens if you are a traveller who does not fit these categories - I assume you are redirected at the airport. After a negative result comes back you can then choose where to spend the remainder of your two-week quarantine, topped off by another test - this time self-administered.

The lucky winners here in Vancouver are:

• Days Inn by Wyndham

• Fairmont Vancouver Airport

• Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

• Radisson Vancouver Airport

• Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport

So while the Health Services web site provides links to these hotel's web pages, it also includes the note that "Hotel Stopover bookings are managed by GB Travel Canada Inc., and are available by phone only. Bookings can't be made directly with the hotel." and "The phone line is receiving a high volume of calls at the moment. Thank you for your patience."

Finally the site highlights:

"Violating any instructions provided to you when entering Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to one or both of the following:

• a fine of up to $750,000

• up to 6 months in prison

If a person breaks mandatory quarantine or isolation requirements, and causes the death of or serious bodily harm to another person, they could face one or both of the following:

• a fine of up to $1,000,000

• up to 3 years in prison"

It should be noted that actually, the majority of people travelling by air will turn out to be exempt from all of the above.

You may be exempt from the mandatory quarantine requirements under certain conditions, including if you:

• provide essential services

• maintain the flow of essential goods or people

• are receiving medical care within 36 hours of entering Canada (non-related to COVID-19)

• regularly cross the border to work

• live in an integrated trans-border community

Well, I guess it looks like we are trying to overcompensate for sins of the past. With no major restrictions for the past year, we have now slammed the door on non-essential international travel except in dire circumstances.

Cheers

Cliff