New Domestic Travel Restrictions in Canada

The numerous cases of COVID-19 in Canada are increasing day by day. And, the Government of Canada has made a series of unprecedented travel bans to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the same, the Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau first banned all international flights, and recently closed the Canada-U.S. border to all non-essential travel. Now, domestic travel within Canada is facing tighter regulations.

On March 28, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Honorable Marc Garneau, announced that the Government of Canada is introducing new domestic transportation measures to support provincial, territorial and local efforts to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading from travelling within Canada.

These new measures include:

     AIR

• A requirement for all air operators to conduct a health check of travellers before they board a flight within Canada or departing from Canada, based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This would include asking health questions, looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding, and recommending the traveller follow guidance from local health authorities.
• A requirement for air operators to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms. The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19. These measures will apply to aircraft with 10 seats or more.
• A requirement for air operators to notify travellers that they may be subject to provincial or territorial measures at their final destination.

     RAIL

• A requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to do a health check to screen passengers for COVID-19 symptoms before they board a train, based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. This will include company representatives asking simple health questions, looking for visible signs of illness prior to boarding, and recommending the passenger follow guidance from local health authorities.
• A requirement for intercity passenger rail companies to refuse boarding to a passenger that presents COVID-19 symptoms. The denial will remain in effect for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
• These measures do not apply to commuter trains.

Furthermore, if passenger intending to fly on a domestic flight and having the symptoms of COVID-19 including a fever, cough or difficulty in breathing, he will immediately be required to leave the airport and self-isolate for 14 days.