49 fines issued for travellers refusing COVID-19 test at Mississauga’s Pearson Airport; Peel police won’t issue further fines

Peel police say they’ve issued a total of 49 fines for travellers refusing the COVID-19 test at Pearson Airport from February 1 to 21.

The fines come after new restrictions came into effect at the beginning of February, mandating that 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.

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

As of February 22, Health Canada is responsible for enforcing these restrictions at Pearson Airport under the federal Quarantine Act. As a result, Peel police say they won’t be issuing further fines.

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.

Despite the restrictions, recent data suggests some travellers are simply walking out of the airport and refusing to take the mandatory COVID-19 test or quarantine at a hotel upon arrival, opting for the $750 fine that is cheaper than the quarantine cost.