Speaking Points
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: Transport Canada
Proposed Response:
- The Government of Canada’s top priority is the safety and security of all Canadians.
- In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Government of Canada has taken strong and quick action to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, stabilize our economy, and help workers and businesses as COVID-19 continues to spread.
Exemptions
- The Government of Canada is implementing exceptions to its various restrictions to ensure that trade, commerce, and food security do not suffer while we take strong measures to protect public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- All essential and business travel will continue unimpeded. The Government of Canada recognize the importance of preserving vital supply chains between our two countries. These supply chains ensure that food, fuel, and life-saving medicines continue to reach people.
Repatriation
- There is an immediate need to help bring back home Canadians who are stranded due to a lack of available commercial flights back to Canada.
- Under these extraordinary circumstances, the Government of Canada is working with Canadian airlines and foreign governments to provide access to commercial flights for Canadian travellers who want to return home.
- The flights will only be available to stranded travellers who are Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, or immediate family members of Canadian citizens. In addition, only travellers who are asymptomatic will be allowed to board, and all travellers will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry.
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents and members of their immediate family holding a valid travel document will have priority to board these flights to Canada. Foreign nationals who have already committed to working, studying or making Canada their home, will also be permitted to board with valid travel documentation.
- In the first series of flights to help Canadians return home, Air Canada will operate a special flight today from Morocco. Flights will also be planned for Peru and Spain, and other countries that will be announced as soon as possible. We are currently working with Air Canada and are engaged with other airlines as we assess global needs.
- The Government of Canada is working with Canadian airlines to ensure that stranded Canadians are offered a reasonable commercial price for their return ticket home.
The North
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the Government of Canada is working with other levels of government, industry stakeholders and First Nations to to coordinate important efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Compliance
- All passengers arriving in Canada from a foreign destinations are requested to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Travellers arriving by air, upon landing in Canada, are required to acknowledge that they have been asked to self-isolate. They are provided with information on how to self-isolate and what to do should they become ill.
- Transport Canada inspectors have been briefed and are communicating with local industry representatives to ensure the all new measures are being implemented.
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