02/14/2021
Canada's new hotel quarantine rules will come into effect on Feb 22, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday
Starting Feb 22, some international travellers flying to Canada will have to quarantine for a minimum of three days at a selected hotel, as part of the federal response to clamp down on the surge of COVID-19 cases across the country.
Many have questioned the efficacy of the new hotel quarantine rules and are especially queasy about the cost of staying in a hotel for the allotted time — three days with a mandatory bill of $2,000.
When were the rules enacted?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first announced a mandatory hotel quarantine on Jan 29 and said that the plan is expected to come into effect by Feb 22. Government officials however, are still working out the finer details of the rules, like defining what counts as ‘non-essential travel’ and providing a list of criteria to hotels quarantining travellers.
To whom do the rules apply?
The rules will apply to all passengers returning from non-essential air travel to Canada, although the government has not specified what that would entail. Officials have also included a list of 20 categories exempting a large portion of passengers from the quarantine rules.
Where do travellers stay?
Passengers returning to Canada will have to reserve a room at a government-approved hotel of their choice, in the city where they land, prior to their departure. Information on how to book the hotel will be available online as of Feb 18, 2021.
The government has not publicly listed the available hotels as yet, but specified that only hotels within 10 kilometres of one of the four international airports currently accepting flights from abroad — Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal — will be selected.
How long do travellers have to quarantine in the hotel?
A minimum of three days until a negative result comes back from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at the airport. If the result is negative, travellers may leave the hotel but are still required to finish their 14-day quarantine at home.
What happens during a hotel quarantine?
Travellers, before leaving the airport, will be made to take a COVID-19 PCR test. Hotels will be responsible for transporting guests to their accommodations, providing meals, Wifi and phone access, as well as a protocol to allow travellers some time outside the room, while being sequestered from regular clients.
Hotels will be also be responsible for reporting traveller information to the authorities and for ensuring that travellers comply with the quarantine.
If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19, then they will be transferred to a federally run quarantine facility where their symptoms will be monitored.
If a traveller’s COVID-19 test comes back negative, they may leave the hotel and complete a two-week quarantine at home. It will be up to travellers to arrange their own transport, whether it be a connecting flight to another city or using private or public transport within the city.
Travellers will still be required to take a second COVID-19 test at the end of the 14 days. It will be up to the traveller to contact their local public health authorities and arrange to take a PCR test on day 10 of their quarantine.
Who enforces the quarantine?
The quarantine will be enforced by hotel staff, as well as security companies working with the federal public health agency. Violation of any quarantine rules could lead to a fine of up to $750,000 and/or six months in jail.
How much does it cost? Is there a payment plan?
Travellers will have to pay a minimum of $2,000 per person for their three-day quarantine, which will cover the cost of the transportation, room, meals, cleaning, infection control and prevention as well as security.
Costs may vary slightly depending on the hotel.
The government has not yet announced any payment plan options for individuals earning a low-income.
