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Air passengers entering Canada who refuse to be quarantined at designated hotels will soon be fined $5,000.
Federal government Already announced Beginning Friday, international airline passengers who refuse to be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive in Canada or refuse to stay in quarantined hotels may be fined $5,000 for each violation — an increase of $2,000 from the current fine.
February 22, The government says Air passengers entering Canada must undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival and be quarantined at a government-approved hotel for up to three days to wait for their test results. Passengers must pay for their accommodation, which can cost as much as $2,000.
The fines are increased as follows Report of the Government Advisory Group released last week It said that Ottawa should cancel the hotel quarantine requirement and let people arrange quarantine by themselves.
The team stated that the hotel quarantine was flawed for a variety of reasons, including some travelers choosing to pay the current fine of up to US$3,000.
Between April 14 and May 24, more than 1,000 travelers were fined for refusing to go to the quarantined hotel. Another 134 people were fined for refusing to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival. According to the government.
Watch | The expert group recommends the cancellation of hotel quarantine:
A new report says the federal government should end its policy of compulsory isolation of air passengers returning to Canada for three days in designated facilities to support people in developing their own isolation plans. 4:16
‘go home directly’
But the increased fines may not prevent some people from violating hotel quarantine requirements, depending on their determination or where they landed.
Kent Saunders, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States living in Las Vegas, flew to Vancouver in April and said he notified a health officer at the airport that he would go directly to a friend’s house Isolate.
The official issued a fine to him at a price of US$3,450 (US$3,000 plus additional fees). Sanders told CBC News that he had no intention of paying the fine.
“You took $3,450 from me? You are dreaming,” he said.
In addition, Ottawa has not shown any signs that any international passengers arriving in Calgary have been fined.
During the epidemic, international flights to Canada can only land at airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Last month, Calgary police told CBC News that Alberta has never adopted a federal Violation of the law — Allow the police to issue tickets to people for federal violations — If someone makes a complaint, the Calgary Police can only investigate the person who refuses to be isolated at the hotel.
Alan Prout, who flew from Puerto Vallarta to Calgary’s Yorkton, Sask, on April 26, said he refused to be isolated at the hotel and has not yet received a fine.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “I mean, if I am fined, I will be very sad.”
Prout said he refused to stay in an isolated hotel because he felt safer to be isolated at home than in a busy hotel.
“Go straight home and isolate yourself.”
The current hotel quarantine restrictions will expire on June 21, but the government has not yet indicated whether it will follow the advice of the advisory group and cancel the requirement.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu said: “This report provides us with a road map, and if you wish, we can consider the next steps, because we are beginning to see the benefits of vaccination and reduction of COVID-19. Strengthen the protection of Canadians.” Said at the press conference last week.
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