Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Unvaccinated truckers delivering vaccines exempt

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2022 05:43 PM
  • Unvaccinated truckers delivering vaccines exempt

OTTAWA - Unvaccinated truckers bringing COVID-19 vaccines and medical devices into Canada to combat the pandemic are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements at the border, a government order says.

The exemption is due to the "urgent public health necessity" of the supplies they are transporting, Health Canada states.

The government has given exemptions from testing and quarantine rules for certain people crossing the border into Canada to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

They include unvaccinated and vaccinated people invited by the health minister to help with the COVID-19 “response."

A spokeswoman for Health Canada said in a statement that this exemption requires a ministerial invitation and had been “rarely used.” She said it had been used, for example, to help with the supply of ventilators.

The exemption is one of a number set out in an order-in-council published last month that outlines decisions made by cabinet, such as regulations or appointments.

Drivers dropping off students on either side of the U.S.-Canada border at a college, school or university are also exempt from quarantine and testing requirements, the order says.

The order makes clear that unvaccinated truckers are not exempt from the testing and quarantine requirement in other circumstances. They must obtain a pre-arrival COVID-19 test, quarantine and undergo COVID-19 molecular testing in Canada.

The restrictions on unvaccinated cross-border truckers have caused much political debate in Canada and are ostensibly a major sticking point for the protesters camped outside Parliament Hill.

But the order reveals that unvaccinated truckers can avoid the border requirements if they are transporting medical supplies, including products with a drug identification number, such as medications and vaccines authorized for use in Canada.

Medical devices are also covered by the exemption. Health Canada did not specify whether it included masks, gowns or COVID-19 tests.

“The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that those involved in commercial transport who are transporting medically necessary supplies remain exempt from the vaccination requirement to enter Canada,” Health Canada said in a statement.

Health Canada said the exemption covered individuals, including those involved in commercial transport, who are delivering, picking up or fixing medical equipment and supplies.

The statement said “any proportion of a delivery that is medically necessary and is being delivered to a health-care facility or supply distribution centre is sufficient to qualify the person for this exemption.”

The Canada Border Services Agency created confusion last month after it issued a statement to media saying that unvaccinated truckers would remain exempt from quarantine and testing requirements after entering the country at the Canada-U.S. border.

The federal government said the next day the statement had been sent in error, but not before some unvaccinated big-riggers had already been dispatched across the border.

The Canadian Press revealed the confusion over whether truckers were exempt stemmed from bureaucrats misinterpreting policy at both the border services agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada, including whether an order-in-council covered truckers or not. They had thought that they would remain exempt as "crew members."

The updated order-in-council makes clear that unvaccinated truckers are not counted as crew members and are therefore not generally exempt from testing and quarantine rules.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public
The order is now public on the government website but it took effect Monday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the plan at a news conference from Parliament Hill.

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public

Climate change doubled chance of B.C. flood: study

Climate change doubled chance of B.C. flood: study
The study concludes that the likelihood of similar events in the future will only increase as global warming continues to upend normal weather patterns. Almost 15,000 people were forced from their homes at the peak of the November floods.    

Climate change doubled chance of B.C. flood: study

RCMP clear protest blocking B.C. border crossing

RCMP clear protest blocking B.C. border crossing
In addition, multiple vehicles that were blocking 176 Street were removed from the area and the road has re-opened. Vehicles and pedestrians are now able to access the border crossing.

RCMP clear protest blocking B.C. border crossing

B.C. expected to announce COVID-19 rule changes

B.C. expected to announce COVID-19 rule changes
The most recent public health orders related to gatherings, events, bars and restaurants, for example, were set to expire on Wednesday and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said she would announce any changes a day earlier.

B.C. expected to announce COVID-19 rule changes

Canada to boost immigration levels over 3 years

Canada to boost immigration levels over 3 years
Federal Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in his newly released plan that Canada will admit 431,645 permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 next year and 451,000 in 2024.

Canada to boost immigration levels over 3 years

Canadians donated most to convoy: alleged leak

Canadians donated most to convoy: alleged leak
Distributed Denial of Secrets, which has a history of obtaining leaked information from right-wing organizations and providing it to media, says it has received over 30 megabytes of donor information from Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo.

Canadians donated most to convoy: alleged leak