Transport Canada says it has fined two individuals for presenting a false or misleading COVID-19 test and for making a false declaration about their health status.
Following its comprehensive investigation, Transport Canada issued fines to two individual passengers for $10,000 and $7,000, respectively, explains a news release. In both cases, the individuals knowingly boarded a flight to Canada from Mexico on Jan. 23, after having tested positive for COVID-19 only a few days before their flight.
Under Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, the Canadian government requires travellers to obtain a negative result on a COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of boarding any flight inbound to Canada or proof of a positive test result within at least 14 days and no more than 90 days prior to arrival, and present the results to the aircrew prior to boarding their flight.
Passengers are also prohibited from knowingly providing false or misleading COVID-19 test documentation. Any passenger failing to comply with the Interim Order could be subject to fines of up to $5,000 per violation.
Travellers advised against non-essential travel outside of Canada
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government of Canada, public health authorities, and the Canadian aviation industry – including operators, airports and labour groups – have worked collaboratively to implement measures to reduce the spread of the virus and protect the travelling public.
Air carriers who have reason to believe that a passenger has provided a document that is likely to be false or misleading must also report the incident to Transport Canada.
The Government of Canada continues to strongly advise against non-essential travel outside of Canada. Transport Canada will continue to investigate incidents reported to the department and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it is warranted.
Government releases list of approved hotels for travellers to quarantine in Canada
New quarantine travel rules for Canadians are set to begin next week, and the government has released a list of authorized hotels.
Travellers entering Canada by air need to book their hotel for a three-night stay upon arrival.
The Government of Canada notes that the current list of hotels is incomplete and will be finalized in the coming days.
So far, the lone hotel approved for travellers to Vancouver International Airport is the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport.
