COVID-19: Appearance before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health (March 31, 2020)—Media lines / Questions and answers

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Canada, while facilitating travel and trade.

Both Canada and the U.S. recognize how closely our economies are integrated, and it is essential that trade continue during this pandemic.

Measures are in place to ensure that economic supply chains remain open and we will work to facilitate the continued access to goods and services, uninterrupted. Canadians and Americans cross the border every day to work or study, for example, truck drivers, firefighters and nurses. All of these people and goods will not be impacted by the new measures.

However, individuals who are not Canadians or permanent residents, presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, will be restricted from entering Canada. Canadians and permanent residents presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 may still enter Canada by land, rail and marine, but not via air, in order to ensure the health of all travellers.

Entry screening is an important public health tool amongst others, which CBSA officers are trained to perform, form part of a multilayered government response strategy.

The CBSA continues to adjust our operational posture according to the most recently announced enhanced border measures.

Enhanced border measures

Air

Pre-Boarding:

• Foreign nationals from all countries, except the United States, are banned from entering Canada. Those currently in the United States for at least 14 days may enter Canada and are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
• This does not apply to designated exceptional circumstances, including air crews, travellers in transit to a third country, Canadian permanent residents, diplomats, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
• Airlines will prevent all travellers who present COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of their citizenship, from boarding international flights to Canada.
• Airlines will conduct a basic health assessment of all air travellers based on guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Essential Travel Only:

• Since March 21, a temporary 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel for Canada-U.S. flights has been in place.
• All travel of an optional or discretionary nature, including tourism and recreation, is covered by these measures.
• Airlines are responsible for screening travellers to ensure the purpose of their travel is essential. If it is deemed that the traveller is on non-essential travel, they will not be permitted to board the flight.
• The CBSA will also ask questions to ensure travel is essential when the traveller gets to the port of entry. If the CBSA deems that their travel is non-essential, the traveller will be sent back to the U.S.
• Travel by healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work or for other essential purposes, such as medical care, will continue.

Redirection of international flights to Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver:

• Since March 18, the Government of Canada has limited international passenger flight arrivals to 4 airports – Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Calgary International Airport.
• This frees up additional resources required to help implement the enhanced border measures required to protect the border and the health and safety of travellers and all Canadians.
• Travellers from the following destinations continue to operate and arrive at their current Canadian destinations:
  • domestic flights within Canada
  • flights from the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean
  • flights from St. Pierre et Miquelon
• All travellers are processed according to the same health screening measures.

Responding to the Arrival of Symptomatic Travellers:

• Travellers found to be ill in-flight are met by CBSA officers at the gate.
• These travellers will be provided with a kit that includes a mask and instructions, and asked to wear the mask immediately.
• They will be escorted through the airport to ensure that they are kept away from other passengers.
• CBSA officers are already familiar with this standard procedure and work with airlines, airport authorities and PHAC to ensure an efficient and effective process is in place to protect the well-being of others.

Increased Presence:

• At all airports, additional teams of roving officers have been deployed throughout the arrivals area and baggage areas to engage with travellers and increase officer presence through conversation.
• The additional officers are conducting further health screening and public outreach by visually observing arriving travellers and engaging them to question them on how they are feeling and to ensure that they are aware of the guidance provided by PHAC.
• CBSA officers will use their training to approach any traveller displaying signs of illness for further questioning.
• CBSA officers are distributing revised PHAC pamphlets containing the latest health advice that advises travellers to self-isolate.
• All travellers will be asked if they are feeling sick or unwell by officers working podium or triage or document verification officers before they leave the CBSA area.

Signage:

• Signage to raise traveller awareness are displayed at all ports of entry.
• Additional signage from PHAC has been posted throughout the arrivals area to encourage travellers to self-isolate, monitor their health and contact health authorities if they are feeling ill or develop symptoms.

Health Screening:

• All travellers arriving in Canada are now subject to new, more broad-based questioning about their health.
• The following questions are now being asked at electronic kiosks and by all border services officers at the primary inspection line at all air, land, ferry and rail ports of entry:
  • "Do you currently have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel you have a fever?"
  • "I acknowledge that I am/we must self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19"
• At airports, in addition to being asked the question during initial process, a podium, triage or document verification officer will ask on another occasion if the traveller is feeling ill or unwell.
• CBSA Officers not only query travellers on the state of their health, they are there to observe visible signs of illness and will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller responded to the health screening question.

Travellers who are not feeling ill or unwell, and do not appear ill or unwell:

• Will be provided with a green PHAC handout detailing symptoms, what to do if they develop symptoms, and explaining that they are required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival in Canada.
• These travellers will be able to board public conveyance for onward travel (plane, bus, train, etc.), and asked to self-isolate for the next 14 days.

For any traveller who indicates they are ill or unwell:

• The BSO, or the podium, triage, referral, or document verification officer will confirm whether or not the traveller meets the syndromal case definition by asking the traveller additional questions about their specific symptoms (for example, Are you experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing?).
• Travellers presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are referred to a PHAC staff member.
• These travellers are provided with a kit that includes a mask and instructions, and a handout on mandatory isolation.
• These travellers are not permitted to board a public conveyance for onward travel (plane, bus, train, etc.), and are required to self-isolate for the next 14 days.
• They will also be required to fill out a PHAC Coronavirus form, which allows health authorities to monitor and track those who have been identified as a potential concern.

Land/Ferry/Rail/Marine (including private boats)

Essential Travel Only:

• On March 21, there is a temporary 30-day restriction on all non-essential travel at the Canada-U.S. border.
• All travel of an optional or discretionary nature, including tourism and recreation, is covered by these measures.
• Travel by healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work or for other essential purposes, such as medical care, will continue.

Processing Exempt Travellers:

• U.S. travellers and foreign nationals who are processed by a border services officer (BSO) at a land border will be asked about the purpose of their visit to determine whether their travel is essential or not and whether they are feeling ill or unwell.
• The BSO may ask additional questions to make their determination.
• Regardless of how they seek to enter Canada, all travellers arriving in Canada, including exempt travellers and workers such as truck drivers, flight crews and healthcare workers, are subject to questioning about their health.
• The following question is asked by the border services officer to all exempt persons entering Canada:

  "Do you currently have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel you have a fever?"

• CBSA Officers not only query travellers on the state of their health, they are trained to observe visible signs of illness and will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller responded to the health screening question.
• If the traveller is displaying symptoms of illness, they will no be permitted to enter Canada.
• If they answer "No" to the symptoms/health screening question, they are subject to exemptions from Self-Isolation Requirement
• Asymptomatic travellers who are seeking entry into Canada for reasons that are exempt from the mandatory self-isolation, including truck drivers who are on duty, shall not be asked to self-isolate.
• While these travellers are still provided the PHAC green handout, they are directed by the BSO to the section titled: Special Provisions. The BSO advises that they are exempt from the mandatory self-isolation requirement, however should maintain a distance of 2 meters from others at all times, closely self-monitor for symptoms, and self-isolate should symptoms develop.

Processing Canadian Travellers:

• Canadian citizens and permanent residents will enter Canada by right.
• Canadian citizens and permanent residents are subject to questioning about their health.
• The following questions are now being asked by all border services officers at the primary inspection line at all air, land, ferry and rail ports of entry:
  • "Do you currently have a cough, difficulty breathing, or feel you have a fever?"
  • "I acknowledge that I am/we must self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19"
• CBSA Officers not only query travellers on the state of their health, they are trained to observe visible signs of illness and will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller responded to the health screening question.
• All travellers, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic will be provided with a Public Health Agency of Canada handout detailing symptoms, what to do if they develop symptoms, and explaining that they are required to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of their arrival in Canada.
• Travellers presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be referred to a PHAC staff member for further assessment.
• These travellers are provided with a kit that includes a mask and instructions.

Signage:

• Additional signage from PHAC has been posted throughout the arrivals area to encourage travellers to self-isolate, monitor their health and contact health authorities if they are feeling ill or develop symptoms.

These measures complement routine traveller screening procedures already in place to prepare for, detect and respond to the spread of serious infectious diseases into and within Canada.

CBSA officers remain vigilant and are highly trained to identify travellers seeking entry into Canada who may pose a health and safety risk. All travellers — no matter their country of origin — are assessed on arrival to Canada.

We are working closely with Health Canada and the PHAC to screen travellers, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is referred to a PHAC staff member for further evaluation.

Order in Council 8 - Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (persons entering Canada) – March 25, 2020 (Mandatory Self-Isolation):

• The Government of Canada continues to introduce border measures to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19. Persons entering Canada, by air, sea or land, whether or not they have signs and symptoms of COVID 19, are required to self-isolate for 14 days. The order have been fully implemented by CBSA at points of entry by midnight, March 25, 2020.
• These measures will help protect the health of many Canadians, including older adults and medically vulnerable people who are at greatest risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
• Persons mandated to self-isolate must:
  • isolate themselves without delay in accordance with instructions provided when they entered Canada and/or on the www.canada.ca/coronavirus website , and remain in isolation until the expiry of the 14-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada; and
  • monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 until the expiry of the 14-day period and follow instructions provided by the public health authority if signs or symptoms develop.
• Persons entering Canada on or after March 25, 2020, must self-isolate for 14-days.
• As of March 31, anyone arriving in Canada by air or land must complete a contact tracing form to help the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitor and enforce the 14-day self-isolation requirement.
• All travellers are required to complete the contact tracing form. Those that are both asymptomatic and considered essential because they are working trans border (for example, in the trade and transportation sector), are exempt from completing the form. All information collected in the contact form is provided to PHAC.
• The contact tracing form captures basic biographical data, flight data, and contact information for the person while in Canada. Once completed, it is provided to PHAC, who determines when and how to share this information with provincial authorities and/or law enforcement.
• Failure to comply with the Mandatory Isolation Order and other related measures are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 3 years.
• There are exemptions in place to ensure that critical infrastructure, essential services and economic supply chains continue between Canada and the U.S.
• Those workers that cross the border on a regular basis, such as truck drivers, firefighters and medical workers as well as travellers who enter into Canada to receive essential services will continue to be permitted to enter and will be exempt from the new requirement for mandatory isolation provided they are asymptomatic. They will however, be required to self monitor.
• Pursuant to paragraph 3(e) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, thefollowing class of persons will provide an essential service while in Canada:
  • Persons making necessary medical deliveries during or within a reasonable period of time of the duration of the Order in Council Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation) or within reasonable time after that, of cells, blood and blood products, tissues, organs, or other similar lifesaving human body parts, that are required for patient care in Canada
  • Asymptomatic persons in the trade and transportation sector who are important for the movement of goods and people, including truck drivers and crew on any plane, train or marine vessel, and that cross the border while performing their duties or for the purpose of performing their duties
  • Asymptomatic persons who have to cross the border regularly to go to work, including in the health care sector or critical infrastructure workers for the purpose of performing their duties; and
  • Asymptomatic persons who have to cross the border to provide or receive essential services, including emergency responders and personnel providing essential services to Canadians related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This is a very fluid situation. As it was, the new measures were announced to the public in advance of them being implemented. This has helped to ensure that the requirements could be communicated to border services officers to ensure the continuous movement of essential travel related to the supply chain and essential services, in support of Canadian and American economies.

Persons entering Canada on or after March 25, 2020, must self-isolate for 14-days and may be required to complete a contact information form with telephone number and/or email, and the address where they will be self-isolating. The Government of Canada will use this information to follow-up with a random sampling of individuals self-isolating across Canada to assess compliance. Failure to comply with the Mandatory Isolation Order and other related measures are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 3 years.

The 14-day period begins on the day the person enters Canada.

Failure to comply with the Mandatory Isolation Order and other related measures are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 3 years.

Yes. As part of enhanced border measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada has banned the entry of foreign nationals from all countries, with limited exemptions for essential travel for certain groups of asymptomatic workers. These exemptions include foreign national workers who are critical to ensure Canadians have access to food and essential products during this pandemic and workers in trade and transportation who are important for the movement of goods and people, among others.

Anyone with signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will not be allowed to use public transportation to travel to their place of isolation. Persons not exhibiting symptoms may take public transportation. For the purposes of measures taken under section 58 of the Quarantine Act mandating persons entering Canada to self-isolate, public transportation is defined as an aircraft, bus, train, taxi, subway or ride-sharing service.

Yes. Persons not exhibiting symptoms may rent a car to get to their place of self-isolation.

For the purposes of measures taken under section 58 of the Quarantine Act mandating persons entering Canada to self-isolate, public transportation is defined as an aircraft, bus, train, taxi, subway or ride-sharing service.

No. It is important that you avoid contact with others. As per the handout provided upon entry into Canada, you should use a drive-thru if you need to stop for food, and pay for gas at the pump. Use rest areas or other places where you can park and rest in your vehicle. Once home use food delivery services or online shopping to purchase essential items, and ask family, a neighbor or friend to help with essential errands if possible, while avoiding direct contact with you (knock and drop).

The health and safety of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers and staff is of the utmost importance to the Agency. The CBSA works closely with Health Canada, our employees and the union to ensure the safety and health of our officers. The Agency has directives and operating procedures that staff are trained on to deal with different scenarios.

CBSA officers are conducting the initial screening of the travellers and are referring those experiencing flu-like symptoms to a Public Health Agency of Canada staff member for further evaluation. Should a situation arise where a BSO must be in close proximity to a potentially infected traveller for a prolonged period of time and/or be in physical contact with secretions from a person who is ill, then the appropriate personal protective equipment (mask, goggles, gloves) is readily available and used per existing standard operating procedures.

At this time, nothing as changed with regards to measures already in place to protect Border Services Officers. We continue to work closely with Health Canada experts to confirm appropriate measures are in place, including examination of standard operating procedures for dealing with travellers who may exhibit symptoms of illness. The CBSA advises its staff regularly through shift briefings on infection prevention in accordance with advice received from Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The CBSA will continue to work closely with Health Canada, our employees and the union to ensure the safety and health of our officers.

Furthermore, we ensure that we are working with the latest and best available information to protect the health and safety of our employees.

Requirements are in place to protect the health and safety of Canada. The Quarantine Act requires travellers at a Port of Entry to report to a CBSA border services officer if they are ill upon arrival.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases into Canada at all international ports of entry.

Every traveller entering Canada has a key role to play in protecting Canada. By properly declaring, travellers are helping the CBSA obtain the information needed to help prevent the introduction and spread of serious infectious diseases into Canada.

Foreign nationals who provide false information is considered misrepresentation and has immigration consequences. If the traveller provides false immigration information or false information about the purpose of their travel, they may be denied entry and be barred from returning to Canada.

Any Canadian who misrepresents the condition of their health may face consequences under the Quarantine Act..

CBSA officers, relying on their training, may ask additional questions if they suspect that a traveller is lying about the purpose of their travel.

CBSA officers are also trained to observe and assess for signs of illness. If there are any indications that a traveller may be ill, they may be referred to PHAC for further health screening.

For more information, please contact PHAC as they are responsible for administering the Quarantine Act.

When the CBSA is made aware of a traveller showing signs and symptoms of an infectious disease upon arrival in Canada, a CBSA officer will contact a PHAC staff member.

Typically, a CBSA officer is the first point of contact and will conduct a preliminary screening of the traveller based on criteria developed by PHAC (for example, fever or signs of fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, rash and other symptoms).

A PHAC staff member then performs a more detailed assessment by asking additional questions regarding the traveller's symptoms and confirming information about the traveller's travel history and possible exposure to an infectious disease. If deemed necessary, the PHAC staff member can then take the appropriate measures to address the potential public health risk (for example, order the traveller to be transported to hospital to undergo a medical examination and/or to report to the local public health authority).

The health and safety of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers and staff is of the utmost importance to the Agency.

Yes, a sufficient amount of protective personal equipment is on hand at all times. The CBSA monitors all protective personal equipment supplies on a regular basis to ensure they are restocked as necessary.

Note that based on Health Canada advice, surgical masks in this situation are adequate and that N95 respirators are not required. This is the recommended protective personal equipment for CBSA staff at airports.

Yes, hand sanitizer is available for all BSOs at our major international airports as part of regular infection prevention practices.

For information on the provision of hand sanitizer to the public in airports, please contact Transport Canada.

CBSA has been using a specialized cleaning solution to sanitize countertops and other frequently touched areas in the CBSA hall and the arrivals area (washrooms, PHAC assessment rooms and other frequently touched surfaces).

The responsibility of maintaining and cleaning communal areas and kiosks (PIK and NEXUS) falls under the airport authority. We have received confirmation that this is happening on a regular basis throughout the day.

Measures are in place to identify and isolate a potentially ill traveller from other travellers to help minimize the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus into Canada.

Once a potentially ill traveller is identified, measures are in place to isolate them from interacting with other travellers. At the earliest opportunity ill travellers are escorted to a dedicated area and are processed at a distance from others to reduce the risk of potential transmission. If possible the traveller is provided with a surgical mask along with hand sanitizer.

No additional measures are in place at the 3 International mail processing centres. Based on PHAC's latest advice, no risk has been identified due to the coronavirus.

CBSA officers who work in postal centres protect themselves against any potential risks of infectious diseases according to normal operating procedures.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases into Canada at all international ports of entry into Canada. PHAC is responsible for advising the CBSA of any required enhanced measures to be implemented at the Canadian border to help prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases into Canada. The CBSA works in close cooperation with PHAC to implement and operationalize the measures PHAC recommends.

The following definition is found in the OIC 6:

Immediate family member of a person means:

• (a) the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
• (b) a dependent child of the person or of the person's spouse or common-law partner;
• (c) a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b);
• (d) the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person's spouse or common-law partner; or
• (e) the guardian or tutor of the person.

As is standard procedure, the person seeking entry must demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada. Each case is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available to transporters and to border services officers at the time of boarding or time of entry.

Suggested documentation showing the relationship of the traveller to the immediate family member could include: marriage or common-law status certificate, birth certificate, or Confirmation of Permanent Resident for Family Class (CoPR) and other documents supporting an immediate family connection (example: correspondence from IRCC showing spousal sponsorship in progress, documentation indicating a common residential address). Paper and electronic copies of these suggested documents are acceptable.

Airlines are required to enforce the measures as directed by Transport Canada. Should a traveller arrive in Canada, the BSO will confirm the exemption the traveller meets as required.

Foreign nationals, including United States (U.S.) citizens, who have been in the U.S. and Canada for more than 14 days are exempt from the travel restriction if their travel is deemed essential and they do not present symptoms of COVID-19.

Canada and the United States have agreed to temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border. Essential travel will continue uninterrupted. Both governments recognize the importance of preserving vital supply chains between our two countries. These supply chains ensure that food, fuel, and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border. These measures came into effect on March 21.

Flagpoling occurs as a result of temporary residents in Canada choosing to leave Canada for the sole purpose of turning around to receive immediate immigration services at a port of entry.

Travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential. If you are in Canada, and are seeking to travel to the border in order to make an application for a work permit, study permit or permanent residence, you are asked to consider Federal and Provincial guidelines for self-isolation and social distancing. Do not travel to the border for these services until further notice. If you are currently in Canada as a visitor, student or worker, you can apply online to IRCC to extend your temporary resident status. By doing so, you can continue to stay, study or work in Canada while your application is being processed. This is referred to as implied status, and as long as you apply before your current document expires, your current immigration authorizations and conditions remain unchanged. In-Canada services are available through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Within Canada, IRCC offers a variety of services that are aimed at certain foreign nationals who are in Canada with temporary resident status. If a person applies for an extension of their status prior to its expiration, the law authorizes this person to remain in Canada until a decision is taken.

It is recommended that applications be completed online through the IRCC website or in by booking an appointment. To access IRCC online services or to make an appointment, clients should visit the website www.cic.gc.ca or call 1-888-242-2100. Clients with specific questions can be encouraged to visit the IRCC Help Centre website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/index-featured-can.asp.

Yes. Residents of Canada may operate conveyances on which duty and taxes have not been paid in Canada.

This is in accordance with the terms and conditions of tariff item No. 9802.00.00 and the Regulations Respecting Temporary Importation of Conveyances by Residents of Canada. Conveyances imported temporarily under the Regulations are admissible for personal transportation only from the point of arrival to a specified destination in Canada and return, when the importation is due to unforeseen circumstances or emergency reasons such as the COVID-19 crisis. The vehicle may remain in Canada for a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of importation and, during this time, cannot be used for touring purposes or for other leisure activities in Canada, nor is any local use permitted. The time limit may be re-evaluated as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

When satisfied that the applicable terms and conditions have been met, border services officers will grant free importation under tariff item No. 9802.00.00. A Form E29B, Temporary Admission Permit, will be issued at the time of arrival, in respect of the conveyance.

For additional information concerning the temporary importation of conveyances by residents of Canada, please refer to CBSA Memorandum D2-4-1.

All travel of an optional or discretionary nature including tourism and recreation, are covered by these measures. Travel by healthy people who have to cross the border to go to work or for other essential purposes, such as medical care, will continue.

There are no restrictions related to re-entry to Canada by Canadians, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic Canadians will be referred to PHAC officer.

This marks the first time Canada is restricting non-essential travel.

To be clear, Canada is not closing its border with the United States. However, as of March 18, 2020, Canada introduced border restrictions on foreign nationals, including U.S. Citizens, for all non-essential travel to Canada. The border remains open to all essential travel.

If pressed:
After September 11, 2001, the Canadian Border remained open but was inaccessible as the United States had closed highway access to both northbound and southbound traffic on US soil.

Non-symptomatic travellers will continue to be able to cross the border for essential services, such as the purpose of receiving immediate and urgent medical care. Emergency services will proceed as they do today. Travellers should confirm the continued availability of those services during the pandemic directly with those service providers.

Regardless of how they seek to enter Canada, all travellers arriving in Canada, including workers who provide essential services, are subject to questioning about their health. CBSA Officers not only query travellers on the state of their health, they observe visible signs of illness and will refer any traveller who they suspect of being ill, regardless of how the traveller responded to the health screening question.

Healthy, non-symptomatic individuals for whom crossing the border on a day-to-day basis is essential for work and daily life will still be permitted to cross the border.

Refer to Customs Notice 20-08 "Imported Goods for Emergency Use in Response to COVID-19" for information on how to apply for the relief of duties and taxes when importing necessary medical supplies. This provision only applies to certain groups, specified in the Customs Notice.

There are no regulations specifically for face masks being imported from China. Refer to Customs Notice 20-08 "Imported Goods for Emergency Use in Response to COVID-19" for information on how to apply for the relief of duties and taxes when importing necessary medical supplies. Please note, this provision only applies to certain groups, specified in the Customs Notice.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents have a right to entry into Canada. If they show symptoms consistent with COVID-19 upon entry, they will be referred to a PHAC officer.

If in air mode:

Under the Aeronautics Act, the Minister of Transport will require airlines to deny boarding of traveller, who is symptomatic, regardless of citizenship status – Canadian citizens included, and keep them from boarding an international flight to Canada. This includes trans-border flights, including those from the United States. This measure preserves the health of all travellers. The pre-boarding health assessment would include the operator asking simple health questions, looking for visible signs of illness before boarding, and possibly referring the traveller for a further medical assessment.

In the event the traveller presents COVID-19 symptoms, the airline will be required to refuse to board the passenger for travel for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms the patient does not carry the virus.

If via land border:

Should a Canadian citizen seek entry to Canada at a land port of entry and is exhibiting symptoms of the virus, the BSO will provide the person with the "kit" and refer them to PHAC or a health professional.

Canadian citizens returning to Canada via land borders not exhibiting any symptoms will be provided the PHAC hand-out and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

A French citizen from St-Pierre et Miquelon who has only been in St-Pierre, the US or Canada in the previous 14 days may enter Canada.

Yes, the holder of a valid work or study permit is exempt from this ban and may enter Canada.

Yes, a person who has received approval for a work permit may enter Canada.

As long as the approval on the PR application was received prior to noon March 18, 2020, they may enter Canada and become permanent residents (become landed immigrants).

The temporary prohibition will last for 30 days, from March 21 at 12:01 am (EDT), but can be prolonged for public health reasons.

This is an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act for health reasons. The CBSA will enforce this order via Regulation 41 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. These amended regulations will provide that an officer shall direct back a foreign national to the US if their entry to Canada is prohibited.

These amended regulations apply at all ports of entry, as well as between ports of entry, where a foreign national is seeking entry from the United States.

This regulation will be applied to all foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada if their entry is prohibited – regardless if they enter irregularly or at a designated land port of entry. Asylum claimants will be asked to provide basic identifying information and requested to return to make their asylum claim after the temporary prohibition has been lifted. The RCMP will then take them to the port of entry, where the CBSA will direct them back to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This regulation will be applied to all foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada if their entry is prohibited – regardless if they enter irregularly or at a designated land port of entry. Individuals will be asked to provide basic identifying information and requested to return to make their asylum claim after the temporary prohibition has been lifted. The RCMP will then take them to the port of entry, where the CBSA will direct them back to the United States and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Yes. Once the temporary prohibition is lifted, the individual can return to Canada to apply.

No, for public health reasons anchor relatives are prohibited, as all foreign nationals are currently prohibited from entering Canada unless they meet an exemption.

The Government of Canada is enacting these measures as part of a layered approach to protect the health of Canadians and stop the spread of Covid19.

No, the direct back applies to asylum claimants at ports of entry.

Please speak with the US CBP for information about the border measures being taken by the USA.

Failure to comply with a direct back order could result in the foreign national to become inadmissible to Canada.

The IRCC is operating a facility, called the Auberge, that is part of the contingency planning on refugee seekers. That facility opened this week.

Canada and the U.S. are committed to upholding our international obligations with respect to refugees, even during this time where temporary prohibition measures are in place regarding Covid19. We have provided assurances reciprocally on any obligations to ensure individuals are not returned (except ion serious criminality cases). The U.S. has provided Canada assurances that individuals will be permitted to return to Canada to pursue their claim once the temporary prohibition is lifted.