OTTAWA — On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada’s main airlines are suspending service to popular sun destinations, while travellers returning from abroad will quarantine in a designated hotel as they await results of a COVID-19 test administered at the airport.
As part of the new restrictions aimed at discouraging travel and reducing the spread of more infectious variants, Trudeau said all returning Canadians will quarantine in an approved hotel for three days at their own expense while they await results of a COVID-19 test taken at the airport, adding that requirement could cost each traveller more than $2,000.
Those with negative test results will be able to quarantine for the rest of the mandatory two weeks at home, while those with positive tests will isolate in designated government facilities.
Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Air Transat will suspend service to all Caribbean destinations and Mexico starting Sunday until April 30 and, starting next week, all international passenger flights must land at only four airports — in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal.
“With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying,” Trudeau said during his press conference last week. “By putting in place these tough measures now, we can look forward to a better time when we can all plan those vacations.”
In the coming weeks, non-essential travellers will also have to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the U.S.
