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February 12, 2021 – Federal government update on the COVID-19 pandemic
Here is an update on recent decisions and actions by the Canadian government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mandatory quarantine when returning to Canada as of February 22
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the new mandatory quarantine measures for travellers arriving in Canada will come into effect on February 22.
While international flights will only be possible in four cities ̶ Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montréal ̶ travellers returning to Canada will have to take a COVID-19 test when they arrive at the airport. Travellers will then be directed to a designated hotel for at least three days while awaiting their results. They will be fed and will have access to Wi-Fi.
If the results are negative, they will have to submit a quarantine plan before going home, but if the results are positive, they will be directed to an appropriate health centre.
Each traveller will have to assume the $2,000 cost associated with this new entry process.
The prime minister pointed out that these measures are among the strictest in the world in order to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. The measures are even more important given the high transmission rate of the new COVID-19 variants.
Mr. Trudeau reiterated that these measures are being put in place because people should not be travelling during this global pandemic unless absolutely necessary.
84 million doses of the vaccine
The Prime Minister confirmed that Canada will receive 84 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine between now and the end of the September, a guarantee that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be.
The pharmaceutical company Pfizer will deliver 4 million doses of its vaccine between now and the end of March, and 10.8 million doses for the period between April and June. Moderna will deliver 4 million doses by the summer.
These two multinationals alone will supply 84 million doses of the vaccine, which is enough to vaccinate the entire population of Canada.
The prime minister stressed that, in addition to this supply, more doses have already been ordered from other manufacturers, like Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, pending their approval by the Public Health Agency of Canada.