Two Americans Have Been Fined After Coming Into Canada & Failing To Quarantine
If you’re travelling to another region, follow their COVID-19 rules and restrictions. That’s a lesson one American couple in Canada learned the hard way, after getting hit with a $1,000 fine when they failed to quarantine. The duo made several stops in Ontario, despite being asked to remain isolated for 14 days.
Ontario Provincial Police confirmed on Saturday that two Americans face hefty fines of $2,000, after failing to follow Canada’s COVID-19 quarantine rules.
The U.S. couple, a 66-year-old man and 65-year-old woman, entered Canada on June 24, arriving via Fort Frances from Minnesota.
According to Ontario Provincial Police, the couple were instructed to drive straight to their destination and remain in that same place for at least 14 days.
Instead of heading into quarantine, per Canada’s Quarantine Act, the couple were spotted multiple times around an Ontario town.
In a news release, per CTV News, police explained, “Both individuals failed to comply with the … Quarantine Act and were observed making stops in the Town of Fort Frances."
The Minnesota duo were charged with failing to comply with an order prohibiting or subjecting to any condition the entry into Canada under the Quarantine Act.
As a result, they’ve each been fined $1,000.
Since March, Canada’s Quarantine Act has required anybody entering the country for non-essential purposes to quarantine in one location for at least 14 days.
This requirement is scheduled to remain in place until the end of August, and is a move intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Canada-U.S. border remains closed to most non-essential travellers, although there are exceptions for permanent residents and family members of Canadian citizens.
Last month, the prime minister expressed concern about an “Alaska loophole” that is enabling Americans to enter Canada without facing any restrictions.
Travellers can reportedly cross the border by telling officials that they’re heading “home” to Alaska, rather than admitting they’re vacationing in Canada.
A Texas family used this loophole to take a vacation in Banff, and even reportedly told their restaurant server all about it!
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is yet to speak about the Minnesota couple who failed to quarantine in the province upon arrival.
In the past, the premier has been outspoken about the COVID-19 situation in the United States, and has repeatedly called on Justin Trudeau to keep the Canada-U.S. border closed.
*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.