Данас, John Ossowski, the President of the Canada Border Services Agency, issued the following statement:
“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Канада. Health and safety remain our top priority. Цанада'с border services officers are professionals and have experience ensuring the health and safety of Canadians and Цанада'с економије.
We take our role of protecting Канада extremely seriously and are proud of the work we do. The CBSA operates in a complex and dynamic environment, processing about 250,000 travelers on a typical day. That’s why we are constantly monitoring evolving threats such as this one, and adapting our procedures as needed to achieve our mission. CBSA officers remain vigilant and are highly trained to identify travelers seeking entry into Канада who may pose a health and safety risk.
The CBSA is part of an overall Government of Канада approach that has been measured, proportional, and responsive — based on the best available scientific evidence on the disease transmission and the World Health Organization’s recommendations. We are working closely with our international border partners, including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
COVID-19 exposure does not differentiate by borders. Enhanced screening has been in place at all airports since the beginning of February and at all land, rail and marine ports since early March. Any traveler arriving from an affected area or who has been exposed may be at risk. The CBSA has strong procedures in place that takes this into account. Travelers — no matter their country of origin — are assessed on arrival to Canada.
Additional measures that we have taken in response to this outbreak include:
- providing instructions for travelers who have been to locations classified at level 3 on the Travel Health Notice webpage, including the Province of Хубеи, Кина; Иран; Или Италија to monitor themselves for symptoms, to self-isolate at home for 14 days, and to contact local public health authorities in their area if they develop symptoms within 14 days;
- displaying additional signage to raise traveler awareness at airports;
- offering travelers a general COVID-19 information handout at all ports of entry;
- using health screening questions to identify travelers of concern;
- providing travelers of concern a mask kit consisting of a surgical mask and one-page instructions on how to use a surgical mask;
- working with the support of the Public Health Agency of Канада (PHAC) officers to screen travelers who may pose a risk; and
- screening of travelers who may be unwell in the customs hall and at ports of entry.
We are closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and just as we have done over the last number of weeks, we will adjust our posture as the situation warrants. We have the capacity to add additional measures as required to keep Канада сигурно.
The CBSA response is coordinated with other government departments and agencies. We are working closely with Health Canada and PHAC. While CBSA officers conduct an initial screening of travelers, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is referred to a PHAC staff member for further evaluation.
Our own border services officers have the tools they need to keep themselves safe. In addition to their regular protective equipment, occupational health officials from Health Canada have been providing ongoing training on COVID-19 and on the proper use of personal protective equipment. The CBSA is also in regular communication with the Customs and Immigration Union regarding safety measures for our officers.
If a situation arises where a CBSA officer must be in close proximity to a potentially infected traveler for a prolonged period of time, officers have access to gloves, eye/face protection, and a mask.
Our organization remains ready to adjust and adapt as needed to protect the health and safety of Canadians, ensure economic resilience, and contribute to the international response on COVID-19.”
Извор: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
