8.68°C Vancouver

Mar 16, 2020 5:18 PM -

Border agency adds screening questions after complaints about airport disarray

Share On
border-agency-adds-screening-questions-after-complaints-about-airport-disarray
Travellers are seen at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. Friday, March 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

The Canada Border Services Agency says it is adding new screening questions for travellers arriving in Canada, asking whether they have symptoms of COVID-19.

The agency took heat all weekend for apparent disarray at entry points, especially airports.

While the federal government wants people returning to Canada from abroad to stay in isolation for 14 days, some travellers reported customs officials weren't routinely providing the direction to new arrivals.

The union representing Canada's border officers, which is set to meet with the agency later today, also raised concerns last week about a lack of information and guidance to its members, one of whom has tested positive for COVID-19.

The border-services agency says automated questionnaires administered by touchscreens at entry points are now asking whether people have coughs, difficulty breathing or a feeling of feverishness.

And they'll require arrivals to acknowledge that they're being asked to self-isolate for two weeks to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

Latest news

liberal-minister-signals-possible-further-mp-defections-as-government-nears-majority
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Liberal minister signals possible further MP defections as government nears majority

A federal cabinet minister says the governing Liberals are hearing increased interest from opposition MPs following a recent high-profile defection that has brought the government to the brink of a majority in the House of Commons. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters Tuesday that he has received “lots of inquiries” when asked whether additional MPs are considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal caucus. His comments come days after Ontario MP Michael Ma left the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberals. Ma’s move has left the Liberals one seat short of a majority, a shif
b-c-braces-for-more-flooding-as-heavy-rain-forecast-across-fraser-valley-and-vancouver-island
BCDec 15, 2025

B.C. braces for more flooding as heavy rain forecast across Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island

The B.C. government is warning that heavy rain expected across parts of the province could lead to additional flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities say the Sumas and Chilliwack Rivers remain under flood warnings, though rainfall is anticipated to be less severe than last week’s storms that caused extensive flooding in Abbotsford. Environment Canada has issued "high impact" rainfall warnings for the Fraser and Skagit valleys, with some areas expected to receive up to 80 millimetres of rain, particularly in higher elevations. Officials cautioned that the situation is unpredictable and that
three-children-die-from-flu-related-complications-in-ottawa-eastern-ontario-as-cases-surge
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Three children die from flu-related complications in Ottawa, eastern Ontario as cases surge

Public health officials in Ottawa and eastern Ontario say three children have died from complications linked to influenza over the past two weeks, underscoring growing concerns as flu activity rises sharply across the province. Medical officers of health for Ottawa and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit say the children were between the ages of five and nine. Officials describe the recent deaths as rare but serious, noting that influenza can lead to severe illness, particularly among young children. Health units report a rapid and significant increase in Influenza A activity across Ontario, with
b-c-police-watchdog-investigates-fatal-collision-involving-surrey-police-vehicle
BCDec 15, 2025

B.C. police watchdog investigates fatal collision involving Surrey police vehicle

British Columbia’s police oversight agency has launched an investigation after a woman was struck and killed by a Surrey police vehicle late Sunday night. Surrey Police Service says the incident occurred at a busy intersection near 152 Street and 64 Avenue, an area that serves as a major commuter route for residents travelling through the city and into Metro Vancouver. Despite immediate medical assistance from first responders, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the woman’s identity, and further details about the circumstances leading up to the collis
IndiaDec 15, 2025

Bomb Threat Emails Sent to Around 11 Schools in Jalandhar, Police Launch Investigation

Authorities in Punjab are investigating bomb threat emails sent to approximately 11 schools in Jalandhar, prompting temporary closures and heightened security measures across the city. The threats were received by email early Monday morning, according to district officials. The incident comes just days after similar bomb threats were reported at several schools in Amritsar, raising concerns among parents, educators, and local authorities about student safety. In Jalandhar, school administrations alerted police after receiving the emails, leading to immediate search operations on school premise

Related News