The Canadian Federal Government receives advice and updates pertaining to the novel coronavirus thanks to the establishment of a special scientific panel catering to the same. Recently, this panel suggested that an end should be put to the hotel quarantine period.

Travelers using air mode to enter Canada had been legally advised to follow a stringent 3-days quarantine period at a government-approved hotel ever since the 22nd of February, 2021.

It’s also compulsory for them to undergo COVID-19 testing and await at the said hotel until their results have been delivered. Even so, it’s a compulsion for them to finish quarantining for a total of 14 days. However, the stay at the hotel for 3 days could be accounted towards this 14-day-long quarantine.

The panel provides a variety of reasons for the same, namely, costs incurred and the fact that the authorized 3-day period doesn’t align with the typical incubation period of the virus.

Even though the panel suggests a total elimination of the assigned hotel-stay period, there would still be a necessity to undergo personal quarantining. This was another measure that formed a pathway in somewhat easing down the current travel restrictions liable within the country. Apart from this, the panel also delved into a discussion regarding the necessity of quarantining for those who have been completely vaccinated.

The scientific panel is against the abrupt and rash changes taking place in rules associated with this, but they are highly informed regarding their evidence-based approach that was devised keeping in tandem with the global COVID-19 situation and the subsequent efficiency of the vaccine.

The scientific panel proceeds to formulate a fixed set of rules targeting five major groups during this pandemic situation, namely:

• people without vaccination and who are not exempt from the currently imposed travel regulations
• people who are exempt from the currently imposed travel regulations
• people who are partially vaccinated who are not exempt from the currently imposed travel regulations
• people who have been fully vaccinated who are not exempt from the currently imposed travel regulations
• people who have been infected by the virus on a previous occasion and who are not exempt from the currently imposed travel regulations

At present, people traveling to Canada are required to undergo a COVID-19 test and present the results within 72 hours of their arrival into the country. Secondly, as soon as they arrive, a second COVID-19 test needs to be undertaken, followed by three days quarantining period at a government-approved hotel until the outcome of their results is delivered. After vacating the premises of the said hotel, it will still be mandatory to complete the term of quarantining for 14 days while undergoing yet another COVID-19 testing on the 10th day of this duration.

Travelers who have already been completely vaccinated needn’t go through this 10th day-testing and don’t even need to be quarantined. But upon arrival, they’d be required to undergo a COVID-19 test and if the result turns out to be positive, they would need to be quarantined.

Doubtful about Hotel Quarantine Functioning

The scientific panel appointed to take such decisions came to a collective conclusion that this 3-day quarantining period at an approved hotel has not shown any proven working evidence.

The panel further briefed saying that compliance would definitely improvise pertaining to the compulsion of the 3-day quarantine to be undergone at government-approved hotel accommodation, the exact level of such compliance after living at the premises is not proven. There was also no evenness demonstrated owing to the 10th day’s COVID-19 testing.

A total of about 31,616 samples of COVID-19 were prepared for testing as per the Public Health Agency of Canada between the period of 22nd February and the 6th of March, 2021. On the contrary, for the second test submission, only 21,100 samples were taken forward. This indicates a sheer lack of compliance related to the second test.

Shortened Quarantine Period

As per the suggestions of the scientific panel, instead of hosting a 14-day quarantine period barring the presence of a test, it shall be increasingly effective to hold quarantine for about 7 days inclusive of a COVID-19 test at the end.

The necessity of such a test at the end of the 7-day period shall help in behaving as an incentive, thereby raising compliance and this shall conclude in surveillance practices being more robust.

The virus shows an incubation period that’s greater than a mere three-day period. A bunch of such positive cases came to light after a week had passed. This is highly indicative of the reduced effectiveness of the currently followed three-day hotel quarantine.

People also raised allegations claiming the hotel stay to be incurring massive expenses and to be a highly unfair means of isolation. This is exactly what the panel stressed when discussing the possibilities of its complete removal. Despite this, they were still adamant about keeping a compulsory quarantining for travelers entering the country.

Group exempt from Travel Impositions

Essential travelers are permitted as per usual within Canada. However, that isn’t the case with individuals seeking to travel for entertainment purposes or for shopping/tourism.

Those completely exempt from travel impositions include P.R. residents and members of their families. Included within this group are also temporary foreign workers and international students currently studying at an approved Canadian learning organization that has prepared a COVID-19 readiness plan.

Apart from these groups, protected persons and those wishing to enter the country owing to compassionate reasons are also eligible for these exemptions.

For a detailed overview of populations being exempted from these travel restrictions, it’s advisable to visit the official webpage of the Canadian Government.