In this COVID -19 situation, the Canadian Government takes measures by exempting travel restrictions for safeguarding the Canadian citizens and also for supporting the Canadian economy. As per the March 20, 2020, Canadian report, the Canadian Government came up with an update on travel exemptions in this severe outbreak of COVID-19.
These travel exemptions of air travel constraints will apply to the Temporary Foreign Workers working in Canada. Also, to the students pursuing their degrees in Canadian colleges or universities, all of them are exempted from the air travel constraints as this travel is essential for land border restrictions.
The exemptions include the following factors –
- All the individuals who fall under the temporary foreign worker’s category, such as fish/seafood workers, caregivers, seasonal agricultural workers.
- International students studying in Canadian colleges or universities who hold a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020
- All the individuals who were approved for permanent resident application before the travel restrictions implied on March 16, 2020, and who have not yet entered in Canada.
Also, the temporary alteration in the process of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is being made for food processing, and agriculture employers as the necessary 2-week period of recruitment will be waived for six months from now on.
The Government of Canada is additionally expanding the maximum allowable employment duration for the labourers in the low-wage sector of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program from one to two years. It will improve adaptability and lessen the regulatory burden for employers, including the ones who belong to the food processing sector.
For the citizens, the Government of Canada is safeguarding the steadiness for continuing trade, businesses, health, supply chain, and food security. For the same, as declared on March 18, 2020, the temporary foreign workers in seafood, agriculture, agri-food processing and other key sectors will be permitted to travel to Canada under exclusions declared in the air travel limitations. Considering the health screening protocols before travelling implemented by few nations, all people landing in Canada from any country should isolate themselves for 14 days.
Permitting foreign workers to arrive in Canada perceives their crucial significance to contribute to the economy of Canada, which include food security for the citizens of Canada and the accomplishment of Canadian food producers. For farm, fish and seafood workers, it is fundamental to guarantee that planting and collecting exercises can happen smoothly after their arrival. There will be consistent employment accessible for citizens of Canada who wish to take a shot at working in farms and at food processing plants.
Individuals affected by these travel exemptions should make an effort not to head out to Canada right away. The Government of Canada will declare when the exceptions are in place , which is expected sometime next week.
These exemptions follow others declared a few days ago, for:
- Foreign nationals travelling because of the invite sent by the Government of Canada for a reason identified with the control of COVID-19
- Close family members of citizens of Canada
- Close family members of permanent residents of Canada
- An individual who is approved, recorded on a hard copy, by a consular official of the Government of Canada to enter the nation to re-unify with close family
- An individual listed as Indian under the Indian Act
- Certified representatives and relatives (counting NATO, those listed in the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, different associations)
- Air staffs
- Any foreigner, or group of foreign nationals, whose entry would be in the interest of the nation, as controlled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Minister of Public Safety
- Individuals belonging to the military of Canada, visiting powers and their relatives
- Travellers who halt in Canada for transit purpose
