Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

Law enforcement activity continues near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing

Law enforcement activity continues near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing
Currently, there is no access to 176 Street south of 8th Avenue. In addition, 0 Avenue is blocked at 184 Street to westbound traffic. Police continue to work with area residents to keep the neighborhood near the border to local traffic only.

Law enforcement activity continues near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing

Uber driver assaulted by passenger

Uber driver assaulted by passenger
On January 9, 2022, just after 6:30 a.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call from an Uber driver reporting that he had been assault by a passenger near Manchester Drive and Government Street in North Burnaby. When police arrived, the suspect was no longer on scene.

Uber driver assaulted by passenger

Trudeau, premiers discussing Emergencies Act

Trudeau, premiers discussing Emergencies Act
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is consulting the premiers about using the Emergencies Act as antigovernment blockades continue to paralyze Ottawa and shutter multiple border crossings with the United States.

Trudeau, premiers discussing Emergencies Act

Missing person survived 74 days in B.C. forest

Missing person survived 74 days in B.C. forest
Henry is about 30 kilograms lighter than when they left Nov. 27 to find a camp in the Fairy Creek area where people were protesting old-growth logging.

Missing person survived 74 days in B.C. forest

1,245 COVID19 cases for Friday

1,245 COVID19 cases for Friday
Also, 93.4% (4,040,834) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 90.9% (3,930,793) received their second dose, and 54.3% (2,350,639) have received a third dose.

1,245 COVID19 cases for Friday

Dead male found in Langley identified as Sarbjeet Sander by IHIT

Dead male found in Langley identified as Sarbjeet Sander by IHIT
In order to further our investigation, IHIT is releasing the name of the vctim, who has been identified as 57-year-old Sarbjeet Sander. Based on information gathered thus far, there appears to be no link to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict. This incident is believed to be isolated and not random.

Dead male found in Langley identified as Sarbjeet Sander by IHIT