On Friday, Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau clarified COVID-19 procedures for incoming farm workers.
"As of February 22, 2021, all travellers including Temporary Foreign Workers will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period," she said. "In the case of Temporary Foreign Workers in agriculture, our government is going to differ the requirement that Temporary Foreign Workers would to have to quarantine in a government approved hotel. That differed requirement would go until mid-March, which gives the governments, both federal and provincial, time to develop a tailored solution to accommodate these workers. Discussions will take place with the provinces, and agricultural organizations to put in place the necessary health measures and the logistics around the them."
She notes in the interim, Temporary Foreign Workers entering the country, will proceed to their usual place of quarantine, provided by their employer under existing quarantine rules.
As of February 22, 2021 Temporary Foreign Workers will still have to show a negative test that is less than 72 hours old at the time of first boarding. They will be tested a second time upon arrival in Canada, and will be given a kit for a third test to be done during the quarantine period. They will immediately be able to continue to the place planned for their 14-day isolation under the supervision of their employer.
Bibeau say these additional sanitary measures will be at no cost to workers, employers, or farmers.
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