Canadian citizens returning home to B.C. will have to demonstrate they can self-isolate, or they’ll be escorted somewhere to see that enforced, under a new approach announced Wednesday.
The current loosey-goosey self-isolation requirement on returnees is based mainly on the honour system. There have been anecdotal complaints on social media about people ignoring the requirement, which has been in effect federally since March 25 and was a voluntary recommendation prior to that.
When the more stringent system is in place, travellers will have to submit a detailed form (gov.bc.ca/returningtravellers). Officials will have a means of double-checking to ensure people are following the emergency health directives, which have the force of law.
While the biggest repatriation effort in Canadian history was spooling up last month, B.C. forcefully urged Ottawa to step up health checks on returnees to make sure they weren’t carrying the COVID-19 virus.
Health Minister Adrian Dix was emphatic that tougher self-quarantine enforcement measures were badly needed in B.C., otherwise the mass influx would heighten the risk of infection.
Wednesday’s announcement by Premier John Horgan shows that B.C. is taking more direct responsibility in that front on the war against the pandemic.
The province is imposing a new legal requirement on travellers to submit a self-isolation plan before or upon arrival in B.C. It must show how and where the person will self-quarantine for 14 days.
It can be submitted online or filled out in person and must show the individual has supports in place for two weeks.
Horgan said: “This is really important and everybody understand: This is not optional. This is not a suggestion.”
Border checks are the responsibility of the federal government. But in an unprecedented move, provincial officials will staff airports and major land crossings starting Friday to help enforce the requirement.
If the self-isolation plan is submitted and approved, travellers will get a confirmation. They can display that on arrival, then proceed to the location they declared.
Air travellers who need help getting home and getting prepared will be assisted by volunteers. They may be kept in holding accommodation until their homes or specified locations are stocked up and prepared.
Land travellers who need help getting ready will be sent directly home and officials will follow-up with additional support.
Travellers whose isolation plans aren’t approved or who don’t have one will be provided accommodation at the government’s expense for two weeks.
Emergency Management B.C. will be using volunteers to deliver food, prescription drugs and other essentials to those quarantined.
Other officials will maintain contact with those in isolation. The health order is enforceable by the RCMP; people are subject to stiff fines or jail for causing risks during the emergency.
Essential service workers who routinely cross the border must still create a self-isolation plan and self-monitor. But they only have to implement their plan if they develop symptoms.
There was no estimate of how many Canadians are expected to return to B.C.
When Ottawa urged Canadians to return home, one million people surged back to Canada in the space of a week in the middle of March.
There are still many Canadians abroad. Almost 400,000 are registered on a Global Affairs Canada website, but that’s a voluntary measure so it is not the total count.
The number of flights is dwindling due to restrictions on movement all over the world. Global Affairs Canada has organized repatriation flights that have brought several thousand Canadians home in the past week.
Horgan held off criticizing Ottawa for lack of controls earlier, saying: “We are all making this up as we go.”
Many Vancouver Islanders returning home from overseas will face an additional level of scrutiny. After having self-isolation plans scrutinized at YVR, if they catch a ferry home they’ll be subject to additional federally-mandated health checks, which were announced this week.
International travel at YVR has dwindled to about 600 people a day. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that traffic count will fluctuate and possibly increase. An uptick in the number of Canadians returning from the U.S. is expected.
