Canada eases border restriction, allows immediate family in
A person wearing a protective face mask roller skates at Central City Fun Park on their opening weekend, in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the indoor amusement park requires all guests to wear a face mask and has placed strict limits on the number of people permitted inside and time limits on how long they can stay per visit. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO (AP) — Canada is slightly easing border restrictions enacted due to the coronavirus pandemic and will allow immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents to come to the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.
Trudeau stressed anyone entering the country will be required to quarantine for 14 days or face serious penalties.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the limited exception will apply to spouses, common law partners, dependent children, parents and legal guardians. He said they will have have to stay in Canada for at least 15 days.
Canada had allowed only Canadians and permanent residents into the country under a border closure to nonessential travel imposed in March.