Canada has implemented enhanced testing and quarantine measures for travelers concerning COVID-19 air travel. The country is set to introduce testing on arrival along with a mandatory three-night hotel stay to await test results.
In addition to the existing pre-departure testing requirements, travelers entering Canada will now be required to undergo a COVID-19 molecular test upon arrival and stay at an approved hotel at their own expense. This measure aims to mitigate the risk of air travel as a potential vector for the introduction and spread of the virus and its variants. However, the specific implementation date for these new procedures has yet to be confirmed. Currently, travelers who receive a negative test result can enter the country but must complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has outlined the criteria for hotels wishing to participate in accommodating returning travelers from non-essential trips abroad. Eligible hotels must be privately owned and strategically located near one of the four Canadian airports that currently accept international flights: Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport.
These hotels will primarily cater to asymptomatic travelers who present a negative pre-departure test result and are not close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases. Consequently, travelers staying at these hotels may have symptoms of COVID-19 but have tested negative on their pre-departure test, or they may have other symptoms unrelated to the virus. The hotels are required to adhere to operational guidelines and selection criteria to ensure suitable accommodations for these travelers while they await their test results.
The primary responsibilities of the hotels will include ensuring safe transportation for travelers from the airport to the hotel, providing lodging, contactless meal services, telephone services, and free Wi-Fi in a secure and accessible setting. Furthermore, hotels must establish a protocol to allow guests brief outdoor breaks and report daily check-in and check-out numbers, as well as any non-compliant guests.
As the government continues its search for hotels that meet these criteria, it remains uncertain when these new measures will commence. Up-to-date information regarding regulations can be found on the official website.
This article was first published on January 5, 2021, and updated on February 10, 2021.
