The federal government has announced more stringent measures for travelers in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says starting on Sunday, airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing and WestJet) will be suspending service to sun destinations including Mexico and the Caribbean until April 30th.
The PM also says starting next week, all international passenger flights must only land at one of four Canadian airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal or Toronto.
He says passengers returning to Canada will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing at the airport and wait at a hotel for up to 3 days at their own expense for their results.
Trudeau says anyone with a negative test can quarantine at home under surveillance, while people with positive tests will have to quarantine in designated government facilities.
Further restrictions at land border crossings will be introduced soon.
Earlier this month, the federal government required all incoming travelers to present proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test completed within the past 72 hours, while incoming travelers have been required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to Canada since last March.
The provincial government is expected to announce further restrictions this afternoon.
Watch live: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses Canadians on the #COVID19 situation. https://t.co/HlNR1KD18J
— Prime Minister of Canada (@CanadianPM) January 29, 2021
#DYK?
All travel abroad = a risk of being stuck at your destination.
Countries continue to impose strict travel restrictions and the availability of flights remains limited. https://t.co/oCI2o5FgxK#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/EmkI86W3nv
— Travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) January 27, 2021
⬇️🖥️LIVE: PM Justin Trudeau provides update on federal response to COVID-19
⬇️🖥️EN DIRECT : Le PM Justin Trudeau fait le point sur la réponse fédérale à la COVID-19
#cdnpoli #polcan #COVID19 https://t.co/u6lFoIwwjP— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) January 29, 2021