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Canadians who intend to cross the U.S. to Canada solely for the purpose of obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine are not exempt from mandatory quarantine upon return.
The Public Health Agency of Canada told CBC News in a statement on Wednesday that Canada’s current quarantine exemption does not apply to people who travel abroad to receive vaccinations against the coronavirus disease.
A PHAC spokesperson said in an email: “For travelers returning to Canada after receiving basic medical services abroad, the testing and quarantine exemption is not suitable for those seeking COVID-19 vaccination.”
“This regulation is in place to allow Canadians who are seeking life-saving medical care outside of Canada.”
The statement sought to clarify reports about the vaccine earlier this week. May be considered essential medical services Canadians in transit are exempt from quarantine for 14 days when they return.
Earlier this week, Albertans who attended the meeting Vaccination Clinics in Montana They were told that they did not need to be quarantined for 14 days.
Since March 2020, there has been a pandemic for non-essential travel for tourism and leisure purposes, and the Canada-U.S. border has been closed. Non-essential travelers entering Canada through the land border are required to provide proof of negative COVID-19. In addition to the 14-day compulsory quarantine period for returning non-essential passengers, tests are also required before arrival.
But from February Patients receiving basic medical care These requirements can only be skipped if they have written statements from licensed healthcare practitioners in Canada and practitioners in the country/region where they are receiving treatment.
The health agency said in a statement: “The COVID-19 vaccine is widely available in Canada.” According to Canadian data, Canada has administered 19.4 million doses, of which 47.9% of the total population received at least one dose. CBC’s vaccine tracking data.
The U.S. says vaccine travel is not essential
Canada’s top public health agency also pointed out that the decision to allow entry into the United States will be made by the U.S. border authorities.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that Canadians who attempt to cross the U.S. border with only the COVID-19 vaccine will be denied entry even on the recommendation of a doctor.
A spokesperson for the agency said: “Under current travel restrictions, travel that only allows vaccination is not allowed.”
“If someone enters the United States for legitimate travel reasons as permitted by current travel restriction guidelines, and receives the vaccine during the trip, this is not part of the overall admissibility determination.”
The maximum penalty for passengers returning to Canada for failing to comply with the mandatory quarantine requirements is a fine of CAD 750,000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment.
If someone “intentionally or recklessly violated the behavior” to endanger the lives of others, he will be fined a higher: $1 million or imprisonment for three years, or both.
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