Originally Posted by Siempre Viajando

No, the Act is not toothless. Just because one's employer provides a letter stating that an employee's travel is essential to their business does not mean that the employee's claim for an exemption to the quarantine requirement will be granted. This is up to the CBSA officer who admits the employee to Canada and the decision is entirely discretionary. In my case, I was granted the exemption but only after being grilled about what I was doing outside of Canada, why this work meets the "essential" condition, what precautions I was taking to prevent the spread of COVID19 (either to me, or from me to others) and what I would be doing during the following two weeks that I could not do were I quarantined. Basically, the officer assured himself that I was not actually a leisure traveler who had faked the employer's letter and that I am acting responsibly with respect to preventing the spread of C19, both in Canada and when I am traveling outside the country. In his view, I do not represent a threat to the health of other Canadians simply by virtue of having traveled outside the country and having returned home. Indeed, since I last returned I have been tested in Toronto for C19 and the results came back negative.

I believe that Canada's approach is sound. Of course, it will need to be adjusted to reflect changing circumstances. For instance, France and other EU countries have now lifted their quarantine requirements on Canadians traveling there, but Canada has not reciprocated; so French citizens traveling to Canada and Canadians returning from France who cannot claim an exemption will be required to self-isolate for two weeks on entering Canada. Perhaps it is time for Canada to end the blanket quarantine requirement for travelers from France; certainly the French believe that we should. But I'm sure there are many Canadians who would prefer to leave the quarantine requirement in place for the time being, for all arriving international travelers. After all, making the requirement selective is something of a slippery slope.

Stay tuned!

Originally Posted by LondonElite

I have just set up a company that manufactures widgets. It is essential to my business that I travel abroad to secure the necessary inputs to my widget farm. I am a responsible personal with a silver tongue, able to convince a usually not terribly bright border official that I pose no threat to my fellow Canadians. I'm good to go and come back, no quarantine, right?

Originally Posted by Siempre Viajando

Based on my limited experience to date, probably not. CBSA officers are not nearly as dim-witted as you think. I think they're doing a good job overall under stress and in the face of a lot of uncertainty.

But if it turns your crank, why not give it a go? Let us know how it works out.

Originally Posted by coleo

Not sure if this is right forum. Has anyone here flown internationally and returned as an essential worker with no quarantine required? For example, I am in the food industry and do fall in both the food and agriculture services as well as professional services (accounting) in last section. I need to go into the USA for a short period but don't want to return and be forced to sit in my place for 14 days if deemed non-essential. Any thoughts or experiences on how this is being handled? I have only traveled within Canada since this all begun so it is all new to me. Thanks

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/s...vices-covid-19

Originally Posted by TechnoTourist

See the thread in the Canada forum. Recent posts are about a Canadian travelling to the US and being exempt from quarantine on return as they are considered essential by their employer.

Originally Posted by canadiancow

Wait... if your employer considers you essential...

Originally Posted by coleo

Has anyone here flown internationally and returned as an essential worker with no quarantine required? For example, I am in the food industry and do fall in both the food and agriculture services as well as professional services (accounting) in last section.

Originally Posted by coleo

Not sure if this is right forum. Has anyone here flown internationally and returned as an essential worker with no quarantine required? For example, I am in the food industry and do fall in both the food and agriculture services as well as professional services (accounting) in last section. I need to go into the USA for a short period but don't want to return and be forced to sit in my place for 14 days if deemed non-essential. Any thoughts or experiences on how this is being handled? I have only traveled within Canada since this all begun so it is all new to me. Thanks

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/s...vices-covid-19

Originally Posted by YYZHRE

I've been flying throughout as an 'essential worker' and returning with out quarantine (CPH-FRA-YYZ and CPH-ZRH-YYZ). It's a crap shoot.

CBSA is responsible for the administration of the QA and it's been getting more difficult and requirements more established. Initially all you needed was a letter from your employer stating you were essential and that did the trick.

Since the end of June, if you state/claim you're exempt, you're pulled aside for an interview with Border Services. The interviewing agent has the final decision. Multiple questions about what you do, why it's essential, etc., as well as your personal situation. My company's legal prepared a list of the statues and provided interpretations and testimonials.. Also being on a provincial list of essential workers isn't the same as the federal list. It's essentially one big circle of legislation but the main points to be satisfied seem to be:

Public Safety Canada,” Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Annex A: Essential Services and Functions by Critical Infrastructure Sector"
“Order in Council (OIC)– 18 Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Mandatory Isolation), No. 3, Section 6 e”;

You have to prove what you do is essential, that the trip was essential and that these two are related.

You can get a "interpretive" letter from Public Health. It's not binding, but is supposed to be helpful. See below:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...gulations.html

under Quarantine Act section.

Originally Posted by Badenoch

Cry me a river. There are millions of Canadians who have to feed their families and many are struggling because of the virus.

Whether your business is "essential" is a determination that should be made by government and health authorities. What is more essential is that Canadians are not infected by business travelers who are gaming the system.

Originally Posted by rankourabu

I know this is going to be unpopular on a forum full of people who fly for work - but this IMHO is bullcrap.
Of course the business one works for deems your work trip "essential" - to their ability to make money, but counters everything the border closure is supposed to achieve - import of covid.People who fly for work, and especially people who meet with others while doing said work, are much higher risk than for example someone who leaves the country and stays at their US cottage by themselves, or goes to the Caribbean to sail their boat.

Originally Posted by WildcatYXU

It is. At least in case of my employer. Only field workers that really have to travel to work site were declared essential. And we are still harassed by the authorities and have to undergo covid testing. I had 3 tests done in last 10 days. And further tests are on the horizon. I'm actually getting fed up. Do I care if somebody won't get water of will get flooded with sewage? For now yes, but with every post as yours my doubts are growing stronger.

Originally Posted by Badenoch

The Canadian government should be commended for setting a high standard for workers who are returning to Canada after plying their trade outside the country. It is one of the reasons that we have escaped the cataclysmic events south of the border.

"Essential workers" who are whining about tests should appreciate that the alternative is a 14 quarantine or not working outside the country. A few swabs up the nose in return for a steady paycheck is a trade-off many Canadians who are not working would make without complaint.