A lone passenger stands outside the International Arrivals area at Pearson Airport in Toronto on Tuesday January 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

By Canadian Press

"Our goal is not to punish people"

Stricter border controls for travellers to begin Feb. 22

Feb 12, 2021 | 11:45 AM

OTTAWA — Tighter border controls will come into effect Feb. 22, the prime minister said Friday, not to punish travellers but to try to keep everyone safe.

Forcing new arrivals into a mandatory three-day hotel quarantine — at their own expense — and requiring a COVID-19 test when they get here is meant to help ward off new and more transmissible variants of COVID-19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Nobody wants a third wave to start, Trudeau said at a news conference outside his Rideau Cottage home.

“Our goal is not to punish people,” he said in French.

“Our goal is to protect and to discourage any non-essential travel.”

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

The government had announced the plan for the new border controls last month but how they will work, who might be exempted and how they will be enforced was laid out Friday.

All those coming into Canada for non-essential reasons were already required to quarantine for 14 days and since early January, air travellers have had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their Canada-bound flights.

That requirement is also set to be applied at the land border as of Monday. Beginning Feb. 22, those arriving via the land border must also take another COVID-19 test at the end of their quarantine.

The forced quarantine in a government-approved hotel for air travellers could be followed by a stay in a government-approved isolation facility should they test positive for COVID-19.

Those who test negative can continue on to their previously arranged quarantine location.

The cost of the hotel stay, including the COVID-19 test, transportation and meals, could be as much as $2,000, the government had previously said.

Travellers will be able to book their government-authorized stay starting Feb. 18.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2021.