6 Things You Could Get Fined Up To $750K For Under Canada's Quarantine Act
Since the start of the pandemic, Canada’s Quarantine Act has laid out some of the country’s most important rules related to travel.
Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $750,000 or even jail time, so it’s super important to know what the restrictions are if you need to travel internationally.
To save you reading the Quarantine Act in full, here are some of the major no-nos if you’re going abroad and returning to Canada.
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Sneaking into Canada
“Failure to present oneself to a screening officer at the nearest entry point” means that you can’t just sneak back into Canada after going abroad without telling anybody.
You’ll need to follow all incoming travel restrictions, even if you are a citizen.
Refusing to answer questions
Due to COVID-19, you’ll be asked a number of questions about your recent travel history and your quarantine plan.
Travellers could end up in pretty big trouble for refusing to “answer a relevant question asked by a screening officer or quarantine officer or to provide the officer with any required information or record.”
Keeping COVID-19 secrets
“Failure to disclose specified information concerning a listed communicable disease or vectors” will also land you in trouble at the border.
This means you’ll need to share any details about possible symptoms or COVID-19 tests you’ve taken if asked and it’s essential to be honest.
Ignoring officials
“Failure to comply with a reasonable measure ordered by a screening officer or quarantine officer” means that you’ll need to follow any instructions given to you by officials.
This includes upon your arrival at the border, in addition to during the two-week quarantine period.
Not complying with quarantine requirements
When entering Canada, either via air or land, there are currently several rules that must be followed to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Failure to comply with an order prohibiting or subjecting to any condition the entry into Canada” means that all ongoing restrictions must be followed, unless a traveller is exempt for some reason.
Rejecting quarantine facility protocol
Both leaving a quarantine facility without authorization and entering a quarantine facility without authorization are prohibited under Canada’s Quarantine Act.
It’s pretty serious if you get caught doing any of the above things, with the possibility of six months in jail if convicted.