Dear Accommodation Community and Stakeholders,
This morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new measures and restrictions on travel to curb the spread of the COVID-19. With measures including mandatory isolation at designated hotels, many of you have questions on what this will mean for your property and how this plan will be implemented.
In summary, the announcement addressed:
- Mandatory PCR testing at the airport for those returning to Canada, on top of the pre-boarding test already required
- Travellers will be required to isolate for up to three days at a designated hotel pending their test results
- Travellers will have to pay for costs associated with the three day hotel quarantine out of pocket, which is expected to be at least $2,000 (costs associated with isolation are included in this rate)
- Those with a negative test result will then be able to finish their 14-day quarantine at home, with increased surveillance
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Those with a positive test result will be immediately required to quarantine in designated government facilities to ensure they are not carrying variants of potential concern
- Travellers who have been vaccinated abroad will still be subject to the quarantine rules
- Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Air Transat have agreed to suspend service to sun destinations that include Mexico and the Caribbean starting this Sunday until April 30
- Starting next week all international passenger flights, including from the U.S., will land at the Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports exclusively
- In the coming weeks, Canada will also begin requiring non-essential travellers to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the U.S.
We are currently working hand in hand with the Hotel Association of Canada, the Federal Government and Public Health to work through details that include security, transport, costs etc. This work is critical as we continue to protect our guests, employees and the public.
Once the plan is implemented, we anticipate that it will impact a small selection of hotels in the designated international travel entry points (Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto). As an accommodator and essential service, please know that until quarantine arrangements have been made, you are not required to deny international guests. We will keep you updated as news develops.
Hotels have been instrumental in protecting travellers and communities since the beginning of the pandemic, offering a safe space for isolation. I want to be clear that we do not view this as a revenue-generating opportunity at all. Simply put, this plan is in place to deter Canadians from travelling over Spring Break. Our industry has answered the call to support our communities since the beginning of the pandemic and we will once again.
Protecting the safety of communities in early corner of Canada continues to be a top priority for all of us and it is important that we are recognized for our ability to do just that. We thank you each for your questions and concerns and will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.
Kind regards,
Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association
