Canada's Strict New Travel Rules Include Huge Fines & Potential Jail Time For Violations

"There may be substantial fines going up to as much as $3,000."
Canada's Travel Rules Have Huge Fines & Potential Jail Time For Violations
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On Friday, February 12, Justin Trudeau and other government officials provided an update on Canada's travel rules amid COVID-19.

The updated measures include additional screening at both Canada's land and airport borders. 

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As of February 15, non-essential travellers entering Canada via land border will need to provide "proof of a valid molecular test taken in the United States within 72 hours prior to their arrival in Canada," said minster Bill Blair. 

"There may be substantial fines going up to as much as $3,000 or even a criminal prosecution for those who fail to produce proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test," he continued. 

Trudeau spoke of the penalties associated with a breach of the 14-day mandatory quarantine for those returning home.

"All returning travellers must quarantine for 14 days after coming home or risk heavy fines and possible jail time," said the prime minister. 

In addition to the land border measures taking effect on February 15, the new measures for non-essential travellers flying into Canada will begin on February 22. 

This includes a total of three COVID-19 tests and a stay in an isolation hotel. 

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  • Britanny Burr
    Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

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