Anyone flying into Canada from abroad will have to undergo a PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport and then quarantine in a hotel for three days while they wait for the results.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new travel restrictions on Friday as he told Canadians that, "now is not the time to be flying."
Trudeau announced that, in the coming weeks, airline passengers returning to Canada will also have to foot the bill for the three-day quarantine, something he suggested could cost more than $2,000. If the traveller's COVID-19 test comes back negative, they will be allowed to leave the hotel and go to their home for the remainder of the two week quarantine period, where they will isolate under what Trudeau said will be "significantly increased surveillance and enforcement."
Those who test positive will be required to immediately quarantine in designated government facilities.
Earlier this year, the government required travellers to have a negative test result within 72 hours of getting on a flight to Canada. It also requires a two-week quarantine for non-Canadians who travel to the country.
As of next week, flights coming into Canada will only be allowed to land at airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. Canada's airlines have also decided to cancel all flights to Caribbean and Mexican destinations until April 30.
The Prime Minister added that the government will soon require non-essential travellers to show a negative test result before being allowed to enter Canada at a land border crossing.
"There are various logical and other reasons that force us to make the decisions, which are not made lightly," Trudeau said. "We will always take a rigorous approach to make informed, effective decisions that take into account all factors and their consequences. You have known since the beginning of this crisis that my priority is to protect Canadians. We must continue to work together."
