Lack of Answers Raises Questions

February 2, 2021 Marsha Mowers

*Updated to include link to Toronto Sun article*

Today’s Toronto Sun article by Joe Warmington raises questions surrounding new COVID rules that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says are not yet in place.

Transparency is key in any crisis especially when the government is involved.  It ensures all decisions are made fairly and without bias and that pockets aren’t lined where they shouldn’t be.  But, most of all, it gives a sense of credibility and trust in the people making decisions.

Since news broke of an Alberta woman detained in Calgary because she had the wrong COVID test for re-entering Canada, Canadian Travel News has been asking the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) questions to try to clarify the new travel requirements and processes.

The questions we asked were straightforward and should’ve been easily answered. Instead, we’ve been redirected, bounced around within departments and then given stock answers and links to websites.

We asked:

1)     What is the protocol of checking a passenger’s COVID test to board a flight to Canada? This was asked specifically in response to the Calgary woman being able to arrive in Canada on a flight from Dallas with the wrong COVID test, though there have been other cases recently that beg the same question.

2)     Where are the quarantine facilities located? How were they chosen? This is important as travellers should know where to go. Also, if these hotels are receiving the $2,000 pp, was preference given to a particular chain or to particular owners? Currently hotels in Toronto’s Pearson Airport vicinity are ranging about $87-100 per night.

3)  Where are the actual tests performed? Are there areas at the four airports designated for this? This is important because the system of testing could determine how long a guest would be at what the Canadian government is calling a “Designated Quarantine Facility.” Are they waiting a day to be tested? Are they tested and then driven to the DQF to await results?

4)     In response to one of our questions, PHAC said “If the result is negative, a Quarantine Officer may authorize release from the DQF to complete the remaining quarantine period at a suitable location, often the travellers’ place of residence.”  What does “may authorize” mean? Is there a situation where a traveller can have a negative test and not be released?

We’ve been told our questions are not for the CBSA to address and that PHAC and the federal government will provide further details in the coming days on these new measures for testing and quarantine requirements, as well as the travel restrictions.

Let’s hope we get clarification and direct answers soon.

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