COVID-19 Added to Quarantine Act List
Regulations Amending the Schedule to the Quarantine Act (COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease): SOR/2020-53
These regulations add COVID-19 coronavirus disease to the Schedule of reportable diseases under the Quarantine Act, legally requiring travellers and conveyance operators to report suspected or confirmed cases before entering Canada. The amendment took effect on registration (2020-03-17) and gives border and public health officials enforceable authority to act, including measures such as isolation for up to 14 days.
- Published
- April 1, 2020
- Department
- Unavailable
- Section
- Regulations Amending the Schedule to the Quarantine Act (COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease)
- Comment deadline
- Unavailable
- Effective date
- March 17, 2020
- Publication part
- Part II
Summary
Summary#
The Regulations Amending the Schedule to the Quarantine Act (COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease) add COVID-19 coronavirus disease to the list of illnesses that must be reported under the Quarantine Act. That change took effect on registration (registered March 17, 2020, and published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on April 1, 2020).
What it does#
- Adds the term COVID-19 coronavirus disease to the Schedule of reportable diseases under the Quarantine Act.
- Requires travellers to notify Canadian authorities if they know or suspect they have, or were exposed to, COVID-19 before entering Canada.
- Requires conveyance operators (for example, airlines and ship operators) to tell authorities as soon as possible before arriving in Canada if they have reasonable grounds to suspect someone on board could spread COVID-19.
- Makes the reporting obligations enforceable in situations where they previously did not apply unless an officer asked for the information.
- Supports public health actions such as caring for or isolating people for up to 14 days when needed.
Who's affected#
- Travellers entering Canada who have or suspect they have COVID-19, or who believe they were exposed to it.
- Transport companies and crew — for example, airlines, cruise lines and other conveyance operators — who must report suspected cases on board before arrival.
- Border services and public health officials who will receive reports and can act on them.
- The general public, indirectly, because the change is intended to support measures that limit spread.
Why it matters#
- It aims to get health information sooner at the border so officials can act faster to prevent infections from reaching communities.
- It gives Canadian officials clearer authority to require and enforce reporting, instead of relying only on voluntary cooperation.
- Faster reporting at points of entry can help protect people at higher risk (for example, older adults and those with weakened immune systems) and may reduce wider community spread.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette