Mandatory 14‑Day Quarantine and Entry Bans

Summary#

On October 7, 2020, the federal government issued a set of orders under the Quarantine Act to continue border controls and mandatory quarantine rules for people entering Canada. The main practical effects are a required 14-day isolation or quarantine after arrival, tighter rules about who may enter from abroad (including the United States), and limited new compassionate exemptions and student-entry rules. The orders were published in the Canada Gazette on October 17, 2020.

What it does#

• The Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 6 requires most people who enter Canada to quarantine or isolate for 14-days starting the day they arrive.
  • People must answer screening questions and give requested travel or health information.
  • Travellers must wear a non-medical face covering when entering Canada and while in transit to their quarantine or isolation place.
  • If a traveller cannot safely quarantine or isolate at home, officials can direct them to a government-chosen quarantine facility and provide transport.
• The orders keep in place bans on discretionary travel by most foreign nationals:
  • A separate order continues to prohibit foreign nationals from entering Canada from countries other than the United States, with a list of exemptions.
  • Another order continues to limit entry from the United States for optional or discretionary purposes, again with exemptions and conditions.
• New or clarified exemptions and changes:
  • Asymptomatic travellers may now be granted a temporary exemption to leave quarantine for compassionate reasons (for example, to attend a funeral or to support someone critically ill), but they must get prior authorization from the Minister of Health and follow any conditions imposed.
  • The definition of who can be considered an “extended family member” was added to allow some family reunifications in specific cases.
  • A phased rule was added to allow some international students to enter if their institution is on a provincially approved list (new entries tied to dates in the orders).
• Enforcement and penalties remain significant: failure to follow the orders can lead to fines up to $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to 3 years, or both; smaller tickets of up to $1,000 may also be issued.
• The new orders repeal earlier versions and set their own expiry dates (see Who’s affected for the main dates).

Who's affected#

• Travellers arriving in Canada: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents, and foreign nationals — they face the 14-day quarantine/isolation requirement unless specifically exempted.
• People who cannot quarantine at home may be sent to government quarantine facilities.
• People trying to enter Canada for discretionary travel (tourism, recreation) from abroad or from the United States are generally barred, unless they meet one of the listed exemptions.
• International students (and some family members) are affected by the new, phased rules that tie entry to whether their school is on an approved list.
• Families seeking to visit or support a critically ill relative, or attend funerals, may be eligible for a limited compassionate exemption but must obtain prior authorization and follow conditions.
• Border and transportation industries and agencies (for example, the Canada Border Services Agency, airlines and rail/sea operators) will be responsible for enforcing screening, mask and entry rules.

If some details matter to you — for example, how to apply for a compassionate exemption or whether a particular school is on the approved list — the orders refer to written authorization processes and lists that are published or managed by federal departments; the Gazette text does not give step-by-step application instructions.

Why it matters#

• These orders are meant to reduce the risk that travellers bring COVID-19 into Canada and cause new outbreaks.
• If you plan to travel to Canada, you should expect to quarantine or isolate for 14-days on arrival, wear a mask when entering and in transit, and prepare proof about your quarantine plan.
• The updated compassionate and student-entry rules may let some people enter when they previously could not — but they often require prior written authorization and conditions that must be followed.
• Non-compliance can carry large fines or criminal penalties, so people affected should check official federal guidance (and any provincial rules) before travelling.