Mandatory Quarantine Plan

[nrthstr1202]

Thank you @cinvest2021 @canuck78 and @Bloodrose for your contributions on this thread. I'll go check out the links that you had all provided.

 

[asdq45]

Wondering what UP Express is? Care to fill me in?

Union Pearson express

 

[Bloodrose]

Wondering what UP Express is? Care to fill me in?

Basically a high speed (by Canadian standards) train that takes you from Pearson Airport direct to downtown Toronto. Much like the Heathrow Express in London only much cheaper.

If you're staying downtown and only have a small amount of luggage with you then it's a good option.

 

[canuck78]

Basically a high speed (by Canadian standards) train that takes you from Pearson Airport direct to downtown Toronto. Much like the Heathrow Express in London only much cheaper.

If you're staying downtown and only have a small amount of luggage with you then it's a good option.

It is also used as public transportation for people living in the GTA.

 

[canuck78]

Could you please indicate where is it officially stated that public transportation is NOT an option?

Unless you convince me that public transportation is not allowed by government, then why incur the OP unnecessarily high fees for a taxi ride when using public transportation would be a lawful option.

Do you realize that all people presently arriving to Canada are RT-PCR tested negative? It is not full proof but most likely the virus is not present in the nose at the time of boarding, so most likely so few hours further depending on your flight length, so the probability to spread the virus is drastically reduced especially for asymptomatic travelers. I worry more about the traveler getting infected then spreading an infection.

Then it is also a matter of common sense and which province your are heading to; for instance if there is curfew, most likely public transit will be empty and that is even safer provided hands are cleaned extensively. Depending on province, actually there are lockdowns in force which mean that public transportation are most of day relatively empty.

As a personal note, taxis are not a 100% guarantee of virus free environment. Who know if the cab has been properly ventilated and sanitized, so care should be exercised with taxis too.

Finally, if it is the law fine; if it is not conflicting with the law and Covid-19 regulations then OP should take the option within their financial means.

This is the official guideline and I do not see that public transportation is prohibited for people WITHOUT symptoms:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/2019-novel-coronavirus-information-sheet.html

Please advise the evidence otherwise.

You can call public health and confirm if you would like. Yes public transportation from the airport is not allowed. Your option is taxi, Uber, rentalcar or having someone pick you up. Taking UP is not an option because you will be interacting with the general public which is not allowed. You are to go directly to your quarantine location which is specified. When landing you are also asked how you will be getting to your quarantine location. There is a risk everywhere of catching covid but if people insist on travelling the risk when interacting with one driver is much smaller than public transportation. The risk is actually highest for the taxi and Uber drivers which is why there have been deaths of people working in the industry.

The PCR tests needs to be done 72 hours before boarding so there is plenty of time for people to develop covid in that time. There are still many flights arriving with people with covid and many people not following quarantine rules which is why the government is likely going to make people pay for hotel quarantine.


https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-reports-2662-new-covid-19-cases-87-additional-deaths/

 

[fr72]

Hello Readers,

I'd like to get others' insight about the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon landing in Canada.

• Would an Airbnb accomodation work as long as it has a private entrance with its own bedroom and bathroom?

• How would transportation from the airport to the Airbnb work? As in would taking a taxi or an Uber work? Is public transportation fine to be used as long as I'm asymptomatic? (I know that I need to be the only single passenger, masked, sitting in the back seat diagonal to the driver with the windows open for ventilation.)

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Taxis from the airport now have clear plastic partitions between driver and passenger, so that should be fine.

All this will be soon moot, because the govt will soon put all visitors in a hotel. Be prepared to budget $3000-$5000 and to spend 14 days without functioning internet and accept whatever food they give you. This is how it is in NZ/Aus.

 

[cinvest2021]

You can call public health and confirm if you would like. Yes public transportation from the airport is not allowed. Your option is taxi, Uber, rentalcar or having someone pick you up. Taking UP is not an option because you will be interacting with the general public which is not allowed. You are to go directly to your quarantine location which is specified. When landing you are also asked how you will be getting to your quarantine location. There is a risk everywhere of catching covid but if people insist on travelling the risk when interacting with one driver is much smaller than public transportation. The risk is actually highest for the taxi and Uber drivers which is why there have been deaths of people working in the industry.

The PCR tests needs to be done 72 hours before boarding so there is plenty of time for people to develop covid in that time. There are still many flights arriving with people with covid and many people not following quarantine rules which is why the government is likely going to make people pay for hotel quarantine.


https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-reports-2662-new-covid-19-cases-87-additional-deaths/

At this point, the OP should be calling not me.

My question still holds, where such forbiddance is stated black on white on paper (i.e., electronically)?
Or is your answer: no documentation that I know of, you have to call to find out.

Quoting: A jocular saying is that, in England, "everything which is not forbidden is allowed", while, in Germany, the opposite applies, so "everything which is not allowed is forbidden". This may be extended to France—"everything is allowed even if it is forbidden".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_which_is_not_forbidden_is_allowed

So how is it then?

 

[Bloodrose]

At this point, the OP should be calling not me.

My question still holds, where such forbiddance is stated black on white on paper (i.e., electronically)?
Or is your answer: no documentation that I know of, you have to call to find out.

Quoting: A jocular saying is that, in England, "everything which is not forbidden is allowed", while, in Germany, the opposite applies, so "everything which is not allowed is forbidden". This may be extended to France—"everything is allowed even if it is forbidden".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_which_is_not_forbidden_is_allowed

So how is it then?

Agreed. If it was truly prohibited then they would state that on the government website. They would probably also have people at the Pearson UP station to intercept any arriving international passengers who may try to use it. The signage at the station does not say that international arrivals should not use it. It only states that symptomatic persons shouldn't.

 

[steaky]

Taxis from the airport now have clear plastic partitions between driver and passenger, so that should be fine.

All this will be soon moot, because the govt will soon put all visitors in a hotel. Be prepared to budget $3000-$5000 and to spend 14 days without functioning internet and accept whatever food they give you. This is how it is in NZ/Aus.

But in Hong Kong, you budget the same with functioning internet and can choose if food provided by hotel or deliver by uber eats or a relative/friend who lives nearby.

 

[fr72]

But in Hong Kong, you budget the same with functioning internet and can choose if food provided by hotel or deliver by uber eats or a relative/friend who lives nearby.

That would be nice, but I expect an element of punishment at Canadian facilities.

 

[steaky]

That would be nice, but I expect an element of punishment at Canadian facilities.

There are punishment to the quarantinees - they have to wear a plastic wristband from day 1 up to day 14 and install a app in their cell phone to track them. The app will activate daily to confirm their confinement during the quarantine.

 

[fr72]

There are punishment to the quarantinees - they have to wear a plastic wristband from day 1 up to day 14 and install a app in their cell phone to track them. The app will activate daily to confirm their confinement during the quarantine.

Where is the punishment in that? It's just tracking, not inconvenience at all. Without internet, they wont be able to work remotely and will risk their job.

Without ubereats, they wont get their veg meal, halal/kosher meal, etc. Will discourage travel.

 

[canuck78]

Agreed. If it was truly prohibited then they would state that on the government website. They would probably also have people at the Pearson UP station to intercept any arriving international passengers who may try to use it. The signage at the station does not say that international arrivals should not use it. It only states that symptomatic persons shouldn't.

https://www.upexpress.com/TravelSafe/SafetyNeverStops

UP express website is very clear and states that you can’t take UP express or any public transportation to your quarantine location


What is the Quarantine Act that has been put in place for travellers arriving at Pearson and/or returning to Canada in general?

• As outlined by Health Canada under the Quarantine Act, anyone returning to Canada from abroad experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is not permitted on public transit. They must immediately go to their place of isolation using private transportation only. For more information on this, see Government of Canada Travel Advice.

 

[canuck78]

Agreed. If it was truly prohibited then they would state that on the government website. They would probably also have people at the Pearson UP station to intercept any arriving international passengers who may try to use it. The signage at the station does not say that international arrivals should not use it. It only states that symptomatic persons shouldn't.

Unfortunately whoever wrote the government covid website did not do a very good job. There is a lot of things missing, inaccuracies and contradictions. The signage is for residents of the GTA. Similar signage is on all public transportation in the GTA.

https://www.upexpress.com/TravelSafe/SafetyNeverStops

What is the Quarantine Act that has been put in place for travellers arriving at Pearson and/or returning to Canada in general?

• As outlined by Health Canada under the Quarantine Act, anyone returning to Canada from abroad experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is not permitted on public transit. They must immediately go to their place of isolation using private transportation only. For more information on this, see Government of Canada Travel Advice.

 

[canuck78]

Taxis from the airport now have clear plastic partitions between driver and passenger, so that should be fine.

All this will be soon moot, because the govt will soon put all visitors in a hotel. Be prepared to budget $3000-$5000 and to spend 14 days without functioning internet and accept whatever food they give you. This is how it is in NZ/Aus.

Most hotels have decent internet these days. I saw the food provided in NZ and it was pretty good. This isn’t a luxury vacation so you can’t expect quarantine food to cater to everyone’s tastes. I am sure they will accommodate medical needs, likely make a vegetarian option and are unlikely to use pork because that would create dietary issues for many people. The whole point of quarantine is to limit how many people will be interacting with people in quarantine so having delivery drivers and family dropping things off creates more potential for exposure, If deliveries were allowed you would have some people receiving deliveries multiple times a day and they would need to dedicate staff to deal with accepting deliveries, delivering deliveries, etc. To keep quarantine locations running efficiently, to minimize contact and to reduce the amount of staff needing to interact with people it is easier to say no deliveries. It isn’t only about deliveries but about the garbage that must also be collected that is contaminated. The quarantine hotels haven’t even been announced yet so we are all only speculating.