Archived information

The COVID-19 Designated Quarantine Facility program has ended.

This page has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes.

COVID-19 Designated Quarantine Facilities: Staying at the facility

On this page

  • Staying at a designated quarantine facility
  • Responsibilities during your stay
  • Meals and activities
  • Getting your test results
  • If your quarantine plan is not suitable
  • Penalties, fines and reporting someone
  • Staying at a designated quarantine facility

    Travellers arriving in Canada who are symptomatic and do not have a suitable place to quarantine may be referred to a designated quarantine facility, upon the direction of a quarantine officer. Unvaccinated travellers, even if asymptomatic, who do not have a suitable quarantine plan may also be directed to a designated quarantine facility, upon the direction of a quarantine officer.

    Designated quarantine facilities meet public health guidelines for the purposes of accommodating travellers who may be COVID-19 positive, symptomatic, or do not have a suitable place to quarantine.

    If you must stay in one of these facilities, you will be provided:

    If you require assistance during your stay, you can call the hotel’s front desk, call the telephone assistance provided in your information package, or speak with the Quarantine Officer during your health assessment.

    You’ll be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility until you receive the permission to leave from a Quarantine or Screening Officer.

    Responsibilities during your stay

    During your stay, you're responsible for:

    You must:

    If you start having COVID-19 symptoms:

    You must not:

    Meals and activities

    Meals

    Meals will be delivered to your room 3 times daily. Special accommodations are offered on a case-by-case basis for allergies, cultural dietary restrictions or any other restrictions.

    Children and families

    Essential items, such as formula and diapers for children, are available upon request. Snacks are also provided.

    Cleaning

    You’re required to provide regular access to your room for cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces. Room cleaning occurs regularly, including daily removal of garbage.

    You may call the facility’s reception to request laundry services and basic necessities.

    Going outside

    If you don't have symptoms, you can go outside for limited and monitored daily outdoor time. Your facility can provide you with details and information on how to schedule a time. You will be escorted to and from your room for your outdoor time.

    During your outdoor time, you're required to wear a mask and maintain a 2-metre distance from others.

    Physical contact with others

    You aren't permitted to interact with travellers outside your immediate household or visit common areas of the facility.

    Pets

    The designated quarantine facilities do not generally allow pets to stay in your room unless it is a service animal. If you are travelling with a pet, notify the Quarantine Officer on arrival for more information.

    Luggage

    You are responsible for bringing your luggage to the facility. If you’re directed to quarantine or isolate in a designated quarantine facility that is not at your final destination, and your luggage continues to a connecting flight, contact your airline to have your luggage returned to you. The facility operations team will coordinate the delivery to your room.

    Smoking or vaping

    It is prohibited to smoke or vape (including cannabis products) in your room. Rooms are equipped with smoke detectors. If smoke is detected, an alarm will sound.

    If you wish to leave your room to smoke or vape, please contact the facility reception desk to pre-arrange a time.

    Alcohol and cannabis

    Alcohol and cannabis products (unless medically prescribed) aren't considered essential items. Designated quarantine facilities aren't required to provide or deliver these items to your room.

    Security

    There is 24-hour security onsite to ensure your safety, security and privacy.

    Getting your test results

    While at the quarantine facility and unless exempt, you will have to use the test kits provided at the airport or land border on the first day of arrival (if not already done at the airport).

    Test results are generally available between 24-72 hours. If you don’t receive the results in this timeframe, contact your test provider.

    If the result is negative

    If the result is positive

    If your quarantine plan is not suitable

    If you are an unvaccinated traveller and did not have a suitable plan to quarantine and your arrival test was negative, you will be asked to remain in the facility to complete your 14 days quarantine or until you find an approved suitable place to complete your quarantine. Only the Quarantine Officer can approve the new quarantine plan. The quarantine period starts on your first day of arrival.

    If your arrival test was positive, you must isolate yourself from others immediately for a period of 10 days beginning on the date you completed the COVID test, if the date is validated by the test provider OR the date of the test result (whichever is earlier)Only the Quarantine Officer can approve the new isolation plan. The isolation period starts on the day you were tested.

    Penalties, fines and reporting someone

    Consequences for failure to comply with the Emergency Order

    Failure to comply with this order is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to fines, imprisonment or both.

    Visits from law enforcement officers

    At any time, if the Government of Canada has reason to believe you are not complying with the Emergency Order, you may be referred to law enforcement for follow up. This includes if you:

    Law enforcement officers may visit and can issue:

    Penalties, fines and imprisonment

    Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to:

    If you break your mandatory quarantine or isolation requirements and you cause the death or serious bodily harm to another person, you could face:

    The Contraventions Act provides police (including RCMP, provincial and local police) the authority to enforce the Quarantine Act. Tickets with fines of up to $5,000 may be issued for non-compliance.

    If you receive a fine, you must still comply fully with the mandatory testing and quarantine requirements outlined in the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order. Additionally, if you receive a fine, you’re considered at high-risk of non-compliance, and flagged as a high priority for follow up by local law enforcement.

    Examples of behaviour that could result in the $5000 fine

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