Ontario Continues to Push for Travel Restrictions Despite the End of Hotel Quarantines

June 9, 2021 Marsha Mowers

The Federal government announced they will be ending the mandatory hotel quarantine for Canadian travellers, though the Provincial government continues its pressure to address what they say are “significant gaps and loopholes” in the system.

“Today’s announcement does nothing to contain the serious risks posed by non-vaccinated or partially-vaccinated travellers,” said Stephen Warner, a spokesperson for the Ontario Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones told Canadian Travel News. 

“The federal government needs to quickly implement an approach to testing and quarantine that is effective, enforced and consistent across all points of arrival, whether land, air or water. The federal government’s own advisory panel pointed out that one third of all air travellers are not providing the required second test during quarantine.”

Wednesday’s announcement from Health Minister Patty Hajdu didn’t give a confirmed end date, other than to say the changes will take effect in “early July.”

Under the changes, Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents and essential workers who are fully vaccinated, will not have to stay in the costly, hotel quarantine while they await their test results. Instead, they can continue a shortened quarantine at home, while they wait for the results which typically should happen in 24-72 hours.  Though that timeline is likely to be a concern as stories surface regarding testing company Switch Health surrounding their competency in delivering timely tests and results.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has pressed the Federal government for stricter polices, even launching an extensive ad campaign on social and broadcast media. The Ontario government is also calling for a national system to track vaccinations. 

“We are glad to see the federal government answer one of Ontario’s calls to action at the border regarding the arrival of fully-vaccinated Canadians,” said Warner. “As we await further implementation details about today’s announcement, we continue to urge the federal government to address the significant gaps and loopholes that remain in their system.

Provinces and territories cannot operate 13 separate systems to manage and track individuals who enter or return to Canada,” Warner added. “Rather, the federal government must implement a single, national system, including proof of vaccination that is recognized by Health Canada and our international allies and mandatory COVID-19 testing upon arrival that can facilitate genomic sequencing to identify new variants.”

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