[conspire] Travelers to Canada, COVID, and a government smartphone app

[Syeed Ali]

For your interest..

To gain entry, including citizens, Canada would prefer you own a
smartphone and install their app.

The alternative is for you to own a computer and printer, have a net
connection and use their website to print your papers.  Don't lose them:

> http://Canada.ca/ArriveCAN
> No smartphone or taking a short trip?
> 
> Within 72 hours of your arrival in Canada or before taking a short
> trip outside Canada, you can sign in to ArriveCAN from a computer to
> get your ArriveCAN receipt. Print your receipt and take it with you
> when you travel. You can also have someone submit your travel
> information on your behalf.

"*both* the app and the website" (emphasis mine), from the email below,
appears to be incorrect.

Technically you can politely decline ArriveCAN and you'll be let in, but
expect to be delayed, to quarantine on your dime, and be fined.  Don't
make a fuss or you'll be jailed too.  I don't know if that counts as
quarantining so you can save money.  

Imagine someone coming up to Canada for 7 days being forced to
quarantine, miss the point of their whole trip, miss their return
flight and get stranded for longer to arrange another trip.  Hopefully
such a person could afford another ticket, otherwise hopefully they
could walk to their embassy for help.

I'm not sure what happens if someone declines end-of-quarantine testing.


Connecting flights that pass through Canada appear to require testing
at the boarding stage:

> https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada
> - a negative molecular test is valid if taken outside of Canada within
> 72 hours
> 
> - a negative antigen test is valid if taken outside of Canada no more
> than one day before


The website with the details:
http://Canada.ca/ArriveCAN

The initial email with details:

On Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:39:36 +0000
"Get Updates on COVID-19"
<get.updates.on.covid19 at notification.canada.ca> wrote:

> ArriveCAN, both the app and the website, continues to be mandatory
> for all travellers entering Canada, regardless of vaccination status
> and nationality.
> 
> Foreign nationals who don’t submit their information through
> ArriveCAN may be denied boarding a plane or cruise ship or entry into
> Canada if crossing at a land, rail or marine border crossing.
> 
> Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the
> Indian Act – as well as  foreign nationals eligible to enter Canada
> under another entry exemption – who do not submit their information
> through ArriveCAN will not be denied boarding or entry, but they:
> 
> • Won’t be eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, and
> may be required to quarantine and complete an arrival and Day-8 test.
> • May face additional delays at the border for public health
> questioning.
> • May be subject to fines or enforcement action.
> 
> If you have further questions, visit the Get Help section on
> Canada.ca/ArriveCAN or call our support line in English and French:
> 
> • From Canada or the US (toll-free): 1-833-283-7403
> • From abroad (collect): 613-954-8485
> • TTY (Canada and US): 1-800-465-7735
> 
> To find out more about travel and ArriveCan, visit:
> https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid:
> https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/services/arrivecan.html
> 
> For more information on the Government of Canada’s response to
> COVID-19, refer to https://www.canada.ca/covid-19:
> https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
> 
> Is this email useful? Answer some questions to tell us more:
> http://www.canada.ca/feedback-covid-19-updates    
> 
> You signed up to “Get Updates on COVID-19”. To unsubscribe please
> visit:
> <snip>
> If you are not yet signed up, please visit:
> http://www.Canada.ca/covid19-updates