Entering Canada became too expensive for two Americans who have been slapped a whopping $20,000 fine for entering Toronto using false information related to proof of COVID-19 vaccination and faking pre-departure coronavirus tests from their point of origin.
According to Canadian officials, the travelers who came from the U.S. tried to enter Toronto in the third week of July.
In a press statement, the Public Health Agency of Canada said that the two American travelers provided false information and were found defiant with the prevailing protocol requiring arriving individuals to stay at a government-authorized accommodation and test upon arrival.
Each of them was slapped with four infractions which correspond to a hefty fine totaling $19,720 — an amount that is way beyond what is provided under existing laws in Canada.
The Public Health Agency said in a press release that ignoring quarantine instructions when entering the country is dealt with a $5,000 fine per day of non-compliance while providing false information on vaccination status provides a penalty amounting to $750,000, six-month jail time — or both.
Canada has been strictly implementing stringent requirements for the arriving individuals, at least until this month when travel restrictions for vaccinated Americans wanting to enter Canada are expected to loosen.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, people registered under the Indian Act, and protected persons may only be allowed to set foot in Canada provided they yield negative to the highly infectious coronavirus disease. Moreover, they would be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a government-designated isolation facility.
As for dual Canadian citizens, a valid passport or special authorization is deemed imperative.
Interestingly, Canada is set to reopen its border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents starting August 9 for travelers who can comply with its pre-entry COVID-19 testing and a quarantine plan.
