Some travellers to Canada opting for fines over hotel quarantine, feds say most following rules

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As some international travellers continue to skip the mandatory hotel quarantine when arriving into Canada, the federal safety minister insists most people are following the rules.

But several news stories and social media posts make it clear some are skipping on the hotel quarantine.

According to a report by the Vancouver Sun, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed 106 passengers who arrived at Vancouver International Airport were ticketed for not booking a hotel stay and refusing to quarantine at a government-authorized hotel since the rule was introduced in February.

When asked if his government could do more to enforce the rule, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the vast majority of Canadians are compliant.

“It’s not unlike, for example, we have very strict laws with respect to speeding on our highways. Some people disobey those laws and there are consequences for disobeying those laws. There are very substantial fines and even other consequences for those who choose not to obey the requirements of quarantine.”

People travelling into Canada on an international flight are supposed to stay in a government-authorized hotel while waiting on the result of a COVID-19 test taken shortly after landing. That rule has been in place since the end of February and was brought in as part of the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Related articles:

• Federal hotel quarantine rules being ignored by some

• Some travellers arriving at Pearson Airport violating Quarantine Act

Anyone who breaks a rule under the Quarantine Act can face a fine of up to $3,000.

If you break your mandatory quarantine or isolation requirements and you cause the death or serious bodily harm to another person, you could face a fine of up to $1 million or up to three years in jail — or both.