Mandatory quarantine for repatriated travellers

Summary#

These are two federal orders made in mid‑February 2020 under the Quarantine Act by the Public Health Agency of Canada. They require people arriving from countries with COVID‑19 outbreaks to be kept under supervised quarantine or isolation for up to 14-day periods to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Both orders were set to stay in effect until April 30, 2020.

What it does#

• The Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (made February 17, 2020) covers people brought home on government‑organized flights from outbreak areas.

  • Affected travellers must board government transport to a quarantine facility chosen by the Chief Public Health Officer and stay there until the end of a 14-day period that starts when they arrive at the facility.
  • While at the facility they must undergo health checks and can be transferred to another facility; the 14-day count runs from arrival at the first facility.
  • The order lists exemptions (for example, people needing urgent medical care, people diagnosed with COVID‑19, or where another public‑health order applies).
  • In the Diamond Princess repatriation example, entry was to be processed at Canadian Forces Base Trenton and the planned quarantine site was the NAV CENTRE in Cornwall, Ontario.
  • The order does not remove other powers or duties set out in the Quarantine Act.

• The Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease in Canada Order (Persons Not on Government Flight) (made February 19, 2020) covers people who either declined a government flight or were on a ship/vehicle with an outbreak but were not offered a government flight.

  • Such people must tell a screening officer about their exposure or travel circumstances.
  • If asymptomatic, they must remain in isolation at a place set by the Chief Public Health Officer for up to 14-day, and must contact the public health authority specified to them within 24 hours.
  • While isolated they must monitor and report temperature and symptoms as instructed, and immediately report any new symptoms.
  • The same types of exemptions apply (medical emergencies, inconsistent provincial/local orders, etc.).
  • This order also leaves unchanged other powers under the Quarantine Act.

• Both orders state non‑compliance is an offence under the Quarantine Act with maximum penalties of up to $750,000 fine or imprisonment for six months, or both.

Who's affected#

• Travellers arriving in Canada from countries where there is a COVID‑19 outbreak. The orders were written with the Diamond Princess cruise‑ship repatriation in mind, but apply to similar situations from other outbreak areas.
• Canadians being repatriated and some foreign nationals who were on affected conveyances.
• Government and contracted staff who travel on repatriation flights and the local public health authorities asked to follow up on isolated travellers.
• People living near designated quarantine facilities (e.g., communities around NAV CENTRE, Cornwall) may notice local public‑health activity.
• The orders refer to travellers from specific high‑risk areas (for example, Hubei province was discussed in the background), but do not list every country; exactly who qualifies depends on whether the place is declared an outbreak area.

Why it matters#

• The orders formalize mandatory quarantine or isolation for people deemed at higher risk of carrying COVID‑19. That helps detect and contain cases before wider community spread.
• For returning travellers this can mean being required to stay in government‑designated facilities for up to 14-day, or isolated near the port of entry, and to report health status to public health officials.
• The measures could affect travel plans and the logistics of repatriation efforts. They also establish legal penalties for not following quarantine or isolation orders.
• The rules were time‑limited (to April 30, 2020 in these orders) and tied to evolving public‑health decisions; they reflected Canada’s approach at that stage of the outbreak to protect both travellers and the public.