Travellers without symptoms: mandatory quarantine
If you have recently returned to Canada and
you have no symptoms, you must
quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days.
This is mandatory. You are at risk of developing symptoms and infecting others.
- You must quarantine (self-isolate) in a place where you will have no contact with vulnerable people, such as:
- people 65 years or older, or
- people with underlying medical conditions
- You will need to confirm you have a suitable place to isolate where you will have access to basic necessities, such as food and medication.
- You must wear a non-medical mask or face covering while traveling to the place you will quarantine (self-isolate).
If you do not have an adequate place to quarantine (self-isolate), the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada will designate a facility where you must remain for 14 days.
In addition to the above, mandatory quarantine (self-isolate) means you must:
- go directly to your place of quarantine, without stopping anywhere, and stay there for 14 days
- do not go to school, work or other public areas and community setting
- monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19
- arrange to have someone pick up essentials like groceries or medication for you
- do not have visitors
- stay in a private place like your yard or balcony if you go outside for fresh air
- keep a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others
Compliance and enforcement of the Quarantine Act
The Government of Canada is working with federal and provincial partners to promote and verify compliance of the emergency order with active communication and spot checks.
If you are permitted to enter Canada, you will be:
- asked if you have a cough, fever or difficulty breathing
- required to acknowledge that you must:
- isolate for 14 days if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or
- quarantine (self-isolate) for 14 days if you do not have symptoms
- asked if you have a suitable place to isolate or quarantine (self-isolate)
- a suitable place is one where you will have basic necessities, such as food and medication, and where you will not have contact with vulnerable people
- given instructions about your obligations under the emergency order
Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada is an offence under the
Quarantine Act and could lead to up to:
- 6 months in prison and/or
- $750,000 in fines
Further, a person who causes a risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another person while wilfully or recklessly contravening this act or the regulations could be liable for:
- a fine of up to $1,000,000 or
- imprisonment of up to 3 years or
- both
The
Contraventions Act has been changed to give police (including RCMP, provincial and local police) more power to enforce the
Quarantine Act. They can now issue tickets to people who do not comply with the act. Fines range from $275 to $1000.