Some relaxing of border restrictions by the Canadian government is making it easier for family members, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, to see loved ones, who they haven’t been able to, ever since the border with the United States was closed due to COVID-19.
On Friday, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino and Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said this means, as of October 8th, adults, children, grandchildren or grandparents, siblings, or those dating in a committed relationship for over a year, will be able to cross, with proper documentation.
An exception has also been granted to people who aren’t Canadians to visit someone who is critically ill, dying or for funerals. Patty Hajdu adds arrangements will be made with provincial governments and local health authorities to end the 14 day quarantine rule to visit anyone nearing the end of a life, or funerals.
As of October 20th, international students will be able to enter Canada, provided the school they are going to has a proven plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The government says this is being done due to the outcry from many people who’ve not been able to see family. The Health Minister says this needs to be done, while adding at the same time the disease is not going away anytime soon. The government is keeping all other restrictions in place, including shut down of the border until October 21st to non-essential travellers, and restrictions on travellers from other countries remain until October 31st.
In anticipation of the influx of people, the government is adding more public health safety officers who will monitor, and stay in touch with people who are supposed to be in quarantine. And to ensure all health safety measures are being followed, there could be fines and jail time for anyone who doesn’t follow rules if asked to.
More details of this plan will be on the government webpage next week.
The opposition Conservatives, while applauding the plan, say this should have been done much sooner.
