By Michael Clements

(NAFB) – The Canadian government has introduced new mandatory quarantine rules to discourage international travel. Effective Thursday, Canada’s 4 primarily airlines have cancelled service to the Caribbean, Mexico, and all Central and South American countries.

While cargo-flights are exempt, all international passenger, private and charter flights, including U.S. flights, will only be allowed land at Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal’s international airports.  These new travel restrictions and regulations are causing concern for Canadian farm operators who depend on off-shore labor. While the issue is not causing the depth of panic as was seen last spring, the new rules are complex.

Keith Currie with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, says that, at least, there is little to no doubt that, this year the contracted off-shore farm workers will be allowed into Canada.

With the cancellation of Canadian airline flights, farmers registered with off-shore worker programs will have to pay for charter flights. The air-charters will originate from the home-countries of those foreign workers. Keith Currie explains the situation.

Another new rule for all incoming travelers, including Canadians, is a minimum 3-day quarantine in a government-mandated hotel while awaiting COVID test results. If negative, travelers can finish out their  two-week quarantine elsewhere. However, incoming travelers must pay all of their own room and food expenses while quarantined in the hotel.

Keith Currie says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is still waiting to hear if the contracted workers will be able to fully quarantine on-farm, as they were last year.