There is no kidding when it comes to reporting negative Covid-19 test results. At the border in Canada, our documents can be checked by immigration or public health services. Failure to comply with the legal requirements can result in severe financial penalties, including arrest and imprisonment.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported that they had caught 30 people trying to cross the border with suspected – fake Covid-19 test results.
CBSA spokesman Louis-Carl Brissette Leasge said between January 7 and March 24 this year, officials identified 10 counterfeit documents with results at Canadian airports.
On the other hand, between February 15 and March 24, officials at land border crossings caught 20 people trying to enter the country with suspiciously looking, as it later turned out, fake Covid-19 test results.
“All travellers arriving in Canada are obligated by Canadian law to respond truthfully to all questions”, said Brissette Lesage. “Providing false information to a Government of Canada official upon entry to Canada or making false fraudulent attempts is a serious offence and may result in penalties and/or criminal charges.”
The federal government has ordered all travellers returning to Canada by air to present negative Covid-19 test results to the airline before boarding the plane.
All travellers over the age of 5 must submit a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure time.
Similar requirements were adopted last month in relation to travellers of the “non-essential” category at land border crossings.
Recent arrests by police have shed light on some of these cases at Toronto Pearson Airport.
The police revealed one case from the afternoon of March 21st. An Immigration official (CBSA) encountered a negative Covid-19 test result during the inspection, which he thought was a fake.
The document was checked by public health officials and, as a result, a 45-year-old Edmonton resident was arrested and charged for using a forged document.
A similar case took place on the evening of February 8th. This time, a 29-year-old resident of Stratford, ON was arrested on the same charges.
The Immigration Service (CBSA) advises that failure to comply with current border crossing restrictions can lead to a term of 6 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $ 750,000.
At the same time, the agency advises that a person who causes a risk of inevitable death or serious bodily harm to another person while knowingly and recklessly opposing the federal quarantine law (Quarantine Act) could face either a penalty of up to $ 1 million or a sentence of up to three years in prison, or both.
