A look at the details of the new COVID-19 related travel restrictions

OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government unveiled new restrictions on travel Friday designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Here’s a look at what they are.

Flights:

— as of Jan. 31 and until April 30, the government and Canada’s airlines have agreed to suspend all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries.

— as of Feb. 3, all commercial international flights can only land at four airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. This includes flights arriving from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which had previously been exempted from rules of this kind. 

Tests:

— air travellers who decide to travel for non-essential reasons will have to take a COVID-19 test on arrival, in addition to existing rules around pre-departure testing. 

— a 72-hour pre-arrival testing requirement for travellers seeking entry at the land border will also be introduced, with limited exceptions such as commercial truckers. 

Quarantine:

— while they await the results of the test, they’ll have to stay at a government-approved hotel at their own cost for three nights while awaiting their results. 

— the government has now hired security officers who will check on people supposed to be in quarantine to ensure they are complying. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2021. 

Stephanie Levitz, The Canadian Press