Big fines for travelers entering Canada with fake Covid tests

By Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Using bogus Covid-19 pre-departure tests has proven expensive for two airline passengers who flew to Toronto earlier this year.

The first passenger has been fined $6,500 for presenting an altered Covid-19 test and knowingly boarding a plane after making a false declaration about their health status, Transport Canada said Thursday in a news release.

The passenger had traveled from the Dominican Republic on February 8,

The second passenger was fined $2,500 for presenting an altered Covid-19 test. This traveler arrived in Toronto from the United States on April 3.

Under present rules, travelers must obtain a negative result on a Covid-19 molecular test within 72 hours of boarding any flight to Canada or a proof of a positive test result within at least 14 days and no more than 90 days prior to arrival.

The results have to be presented to the air crew prior to boarding their flight. Any passenger failing to comply faces fines of up to $5,000 per violation.

The Government of Canada continues to strongly advise Canadians that this is not the time to travel.

“Transport Canada will continue to investigate incidents reported to the department and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it is warranted,” the agency said.
(Eagle News Service)

TORONTO, ON – Pearson International Airport (Cole Burston / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)