Toronto area family questions COVID-19 travel rules after spending days in quarantine facility
A Toronto area family is questioning Canada's COVID-19 testing and travel rules after spending days in a quarantine hotel following their return from South Africa.
The Hayes family left for South Africa on Nov. 13 and were scheduled to return to Canada on Nov. 28. They said they received their negative COVID-19 tests and arrived at the airport, but then "everything kind of hit the fan."
"We got to the airport in Cape Town, and we were told that the Canadian government decided to change the COVID testing rules requiring a third country COVID test," Doug Hayes said. "So that meant that when we arrived in Ethiopia, we had to test there and get the results back."
Hayes said that he and his two adult daughters had to wait in the airport for the test results to come back negative. They ended up missing their original flight and spent about 30 hours at the airport in Addis Ababa.
When the family finally arrived at Toronto International Pearson Airport on Sunday morning, they expected to have to self-quarantine for 14 days. Instead, they were told they had to get a COVID-19 test at the airport and then go to a quarantine hotel while they awaited their results.
Days later, the Aurora, Ont. family is still waiting.
"The COVID tests results that we got in South Africa and Ethiopia, and prior to that Botswana, took about eight to 12 hours," Hayes said. "Back here in Canada we're told that it's 72 hours or so."
The hotel room has a small living space and a sleeping area with two beds, according to video sent to CTV News Toronto by Hayes. The family says they receive three meals a day delivered to them in a paper bag, but that it took two days for a broken coffee machine to be replaced.
"I called down to the desk and said 'Can we get some ice? You don't have any choice, you can't get Diet Coke or juice or anything. You get whatever they bring you to drink. So I said ‘Can we get some ice?’ and the guy said ‘This isn't a hotel, it's a quarantine center.’"
One of Hayes' daughters, who suffers from chronic migraines, also called down to the lobby multiple times for some Advil and feminine products. The family says it took staff a full day to respond, and they only did so when she threatened to leave the hotel to walk to a pharmacy.
Hayes said that even when his family gets their test results back, they can't just pack up and leave. They have to wait until the staff can "coordinate" their exit.
"We're all missing work. We have two dogs at home," Hayes said, adding that the family's return has now been delayed by nine days. "We've got to get somebody to take care of our house and our dogs, and I mean it's frustrating."
Hayes said the new travel and testing rules add to the frustration. He questions why Canada decided to impose a third country test requirement.
"I mean the notion of sending Canadians to another country, another group of flights, exposing them to another airport, another plane, another group of travellers that just defies logic."
The federal government imposed new travel restrictions on Nov. 30 requiring all Canadians travelling by air, with the exception of those coming from the United States, to be tested at the airport in addition to the test required prior to boarding a flight. Fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to self-isolate at home until they get a negative result. Those who have not been fully vaccinated must continue to isolate for 14 days.
However, the rules change slightly for Canadians flying in from one of 10 countries in southern Africa. Those travellers must get tested in a third country prior to arriving in a Canadian airport.
Once they arrive in Canada, those travellers will have to take a COVID-19 test at the airport and remain in a government quarantine facility until they get a negative result.
Fully vaccinated individuals will then be able to complete their isolation period at home while they away their day eight COVID-19 test.
Those who are unvaccinated must remain in the government facility for 14 days.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said that travellers required to quarantine or isolate in a designated facility "are not required to pay for the costs associated with their stay."
With files from CTV News Toronto's Rahim Ladhani
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.