Officials Are Investigating COVID-19 Cases 'Linked To' A Toronto Quarantine Hotel

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is looking into a number of COVID-19 cases connected with an Ontario quarantine hotel.

TPH confirmed to Narcity via email that the agency has assigned staff to start an investigation at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport hotel, one of 20 hotels used by Canada for quarantining international travellers landing in Toronto.

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"TPH is aware of cases in individuals linked to this workplace. We have assigned staff to initiate an investigation and to work with the facility to identify all cases, and review and advise on all appropriate public health measures and infection prevention and control measures," said TPH's Dr. Vinita Dubey in an email statement.

TPH did not say how many cases were identified, citing privacy concerns.

Canada requires all incoming international travellers to stay at a pre-approved quarantine hotel for at least three days, and any travellers who don't follow isolation instructions could face a fine of up to $750,000 and/or up to six months in prison.

Further restrictions potentially on the way

Canada already has strict restrictions for people entering the country, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to tighten them even further.

In a press conference on Friday, April 30, Justin Trudeau said that Premier Ford had requested a suspension on the arrival of international students into Ontario.

"We are very prepared to work with provinces and territories on specifically what they need," said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"As the prime minister said when it comes to Ontario, that includes [...] their request at restricting the entry of international students to Ontario institutions," she added.

Ford has been calling for tighter restrictions for some time now. Even though Canada suspended all direct air travel from India and Pakistan due to a new variant of interest, Ford said the measures had come "far too late."