Domestic travel by plane or train will soon be off the table for anyone exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday, as part of additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 across the country.
Domestic travel by plane or train will soon be off the table for anyone exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Saturday, as part of additional measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 illness across the country.
The restrictions come into effect at noon ET on Monday and apply to anyone showing signs of the virus, which include a cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
Those travellers will no longer be able to travel by air or rail between provinces and cities anywhere in Canada.
“It will be important for operators of airlines and trains to ensure that people who are exhibiting symptoms do not board those trains,” Trudeau said during his daily address to Canadians. “It will be a Transport Canada rule that will be enforced, but at the same time, we’re telling people stay home if it’s not absolutely essential for you to travel.”
The prime minister added that the federal government would be providing airlines and rail companies with “further tools” to bar those showing symptoms from getting on planes and trains.
Companies to conduct health checks
To roll out the new measures, the Public Health Agency of Canada is providing guidance to air operators and rail companies on conducting health checks on passengers boarding flights and trains within Canada or departing from Canada.
As of Monday, passengers can expect to be asked a number of health questions aimed at identifying the “visible signs of illness” and will be refused boarding should they present symptoms.
On March 30, new measures will be in effect for intercity passenger rail services. Railway operators must screen travellers for #COVID19 symptoms, and deny entry to those who show signs of illness. These measures will not apply to commuter trains https://t.co/CzpO7Pzh2M
According to a news release from Transport Canada, passengers will be denied boarding “for a period of 14 days, or until a medical certificate is presented that confirms that the traveller’s symptoms are not related to COVID-19.”
The restrictions apply to aircraft with 10 seats or more, while commuter trains are exempt from the