On March 26th at midnight, the Government of Canada will be invoking the Quarantine Act in order to impose a mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all travellers returning to Canada. These new measures are being implemented in an effort to ‘flatten the curve’ and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. Prior to this announcement, the federal government was urging Canadian travellers returning home to self-isolate for 14-days.
Under the Quarantine Act, travellers who disobey the mandated quarantines may be subject to fines or even arrest, according to the federal government. The penalties contained within the legislation are wide ranging. An individual who violates direct instructions and potentially places the public as risk of a communicable disease can face a maximum fine of up to $1 million and as many as three years in prison.
Self-isolate means that, for 14 days you need to:
- stay at home and monitor yourself for symptoms, even if mild
- avoid contact with other people to help prevent transmission of the virus at the earliest stage of illness
- do your part to prevent the spread of disease in your home and in your community, in case you develop symptoms
More detailed information from the Government of Canada on self-isolation can be accessed here, https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-home-exposed-no-symptoms.html.
We will continue to provide members with updates on COVID-19 as new information becomes available.
