In letter to Ottawa, Ontario officials stressing the need for stronger measures at Canada’s borders
Health Minister Christine Elliot and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones want Ottawa to close a loophole allowing travellers to fly into Buffalo's airport, take a cab or limo to the border and then either walk or drive to Niagara.
Both agree the loophole represents a significant threat to the health and well-being of Ontarians due to the potential for further entry of COVID-19 variants into the province.
They note, in the past two weeks, over 150,000 people, not including essential commercial truckers, have crossed Canada’s land borders.
They add, this includes dozens of individuals who crossed between April 24th and April 26th, after travelling from countries where direct flights to Canada are currently banned.
The two say they are requesting the implementation of a mandatory 3-day hotel quarantine in federally designated hotels at the highest traffic crossings including those in Niagara, Windsor, Sarnia, and Brockville.
The cabinet ministers also pointing out some of these crossings, including the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, are located in close proximity to other crossings and it is important that all travelers in these regions are met with the same quarantine requirement, to ensure that all points of entry are protected.
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