Despite strict travel measures currently in place in Canada, the Prime Minister says this is the time to double down to keep everyone safe.
Starting Thursday, Justin Trudeau says to be eligible to return to Canada, travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight.
Trudeau says this is in addition to the long-standing, mandatory, two week quarantine, once people arrive.
He notes officials will be reviewing travelers isolation plans and if they aren’t up to par the travelers will have to quarantine in a federal facility.
The Prime Minister stresses everyone has to take this seriously and failing to do so could result in hefty fines or jail time.
The federal government is also officially closing a loophole in the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit program.
The benefit provides $500 per week for workers impacted by COVID-19.
Justin Trudeau has issued a warning to vacationers who are collecting the money.
“It is not intended for travelers who are quarantining when they return from holiday. This program was created to give people sick leave if they needed it and otherwise wouldn’t have one from their employer. It’s not there to pay for someone’s post-vacation quarantine.”
Trudeau says he will explain soon how the government will prevent vacationers from accessing the benefit.
The Prime Minister states the COVID-19 pandemic will end and we will get through this.
Trudeau states better days are on the horizon but to get there we need to keep holding on.
Trudeau says the federal government has already delivered nearly half a million doses of vaccines to provinces and territories.
“We’re on track to have well over a million vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna by the end of January and by September we will have enough doses to vaccinate every Canadian who wants a shot.”
He is urging Canadians to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel in order to limit the spread of the virus.
