Canada banning passengers with COVID-19 symptoms from domestic flights & trains

Canadians showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus will be banned from boarding domestic flights and intercity passenger trains starting Monday, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the weekend. 

The move represents the latest travel restriction aimed at curbing the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada, which continues to show an increase in cases of the virus. 

“As of Monday at noon, people showing any signs whatsoever of COVID-19 will be denied boarding at all domestic flights and intercity passenger trains,” Trudeau told reporters from his home in Ottawa on Saturday (March 28th).

The new rule only applies to industries that fall under federal jurisdiction - buses and coaches that can cross provincial lines are not subject to the same measures, Trudeau said.

Air operators and intercity rail companies will be doing a “health check” and screening passengers before they come on board, states a release that was issued on the matter. 

The screening will include health questions and will try and identify visible signs of illness.

Travellers that are denied from boarding their plane or train will also be banned for at least 14 days. 

However, if passengers can show a medical certificate proving that their symptoms are not related to COVID-19, they will be allowed to board. 

The press release states that the new restrictions for rail travel do not apply to commuter trains.

As of Monday morning (March 30th), Canada's provinces and territories reported more than 6,300 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!