Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu answers media questions, March 22, 2020. Photo: CPAC
The Federal Health Minister is clarifying some of the rules under the Quarantine Act that forces travellers returning to Canada to self-isolate for 14-days.
Patty Hajdu told media, those travellers who are showing signs of COVID-19 can not take public transit, but those who aren’t showing can continue on their travels to their home destination.
“The transportation rule is for symptomatic passengers so that they are not in contact with other Canadians on public transit that would put others at risk because of their potential infection with COVID-19. Asymptomatic passengers are given public health advice including the order to quarantine when they get to their final destination along with a mask. They are too put the mask on if they become ill at any point in the onward travel,” Hajdu said.
Symptomatic travellers will be transported by government officials and placed in a quarantine facility.
Federal and provincial agencies will work together to perform random checks on those passengers to ensure they are self-isolating. Officials say the checks may be in-person and they have other options they are considering as well.
