Canada on Friday extended a restriction on non – essential international entries until the end of November as Covid – 19 cases rise, while easing quarantine rules for some cut -off Canada – US border communities .
The travel ban has been in force since mid-March , while Ottawa and Washington have a separate arrangement prohibiting non -essential travel between their two countries set to expire one week earlier .
Travellers allowed into Canada despite the ban including essential workers , students , and spouses , children , parents or guardians of Canadian citizens must still quarantine for 14 days upon arrival .
But Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said “ some practical adjustments ” to the rule would be made to allow residents of a few outlier communities to cross the border to access necessities such as food and medical care without having to self – isolate after each trip .
He named specifically Campobello Island in New Brunswick ; Stewart , British Columbia ; Northwest Angle , Minnesota; and Hyder, Alaska all cut off from their respective countries due to border irregularities , such as panhandles .
The government will also allow exemptions for a pilot project with the province of Alberta on alternatives to quarantines .
Participants are tested for Covid – 19 infection at the border or after landing at the Calgary airport, and if the result comes back negative , they may end their quarantine early so long as they commit to getting a second test about a week later at a local pharmacy .
