18 tickets have been given to travellers refusing COVID-19 tests at Pearson Airport in Mississauga

 

Peel police have issued a number of fines for travellers refusing to take a COVID-19 test at Pearson Airport in Mississauga.

The federal government recently mandated that starting on February 1, people arriving at Pearson will be required to test for COVID-19 and will have to quarantine at local hotels for three days (at their own expense) until results are verified.

During the first week of these new travel restrictions (February 1 to 7), police say they’ve issued a total of 18 tickets for failing to comply with the order.

The fine for refusing the COVID-19 test is $750.

It was also reported today that a man was charged with using a fraudulent COVID-19 document at Pearson Airport.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the new travel restrictions in late January, which he says are an extension of existing restrictions that already ban foreign travellers except those who are involved in essential services.

If the mandatory COVID-19 test provides a negative result, travellers will be allowed to go home but will still have to isolate for 14 days. Positive tests will mean a further stay at a government-approved hotel.

Trudeau said the cost of the hotel and the test will be placed on the traveller at a price of $2,000.

Travellers will still need to show a negative test before boarding a flight to Canada.