ALL VACCINE INQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE WINDSOR-ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH UNIT. Please visit the Health Unit online at: wechu.org or call them directly at: 519-258-2146.
Windsor, ON Currently:
STEP THREE ON ROADMAP TO REOPENING (WITH LOCAL RESTRICTIONS)
Click HERE to read the provincial regulations on PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY STATUS AND CLICK HERE TO READ THE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2021 ON GATHERINGS
Dear Constituents,
Since March 2020 we have been living through this global pandemic and I know many in our community are still concerned about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the new and emerging variants, and have questions about vaccines. This pandemic has significantly increased the amount of calls and emails coming into our office, and we are doing our best to get back to everyone as soon as we can.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see the work that I have been doing on behalf of Windsor West during the pandemic.
Updates are available daily on the following websites:
Information from Windsor-Essex County Health Unit on local cases, how to protect yourself, and where to seek further medical support.
Information from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
Find out how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick, and how to recognize possible symptoms. Updated twice daily, in 30 languages.
Information from the Government of Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada
Updates on the national response, travel advice, and preparedness.
Important travel advisories and restrictions related to COVID-19, from the Government of Canada.
If you have recently traveled
If you have recently travelled and are experiencing symptoms exercise precaution by isolating yourself from others and immediately call your healthcare professional or Windsor-Essex County Public Health @ 519-258-2146 ext. 1420.
For Medical Advice
Ministry of Health Self-Assessment Tool – available here.
Telehealth Ontario – a free, confidential service. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information is available in multiple languages.
Telephone: 1-866-797-0000
To access a list of free education websites for kids, click here.
The Border
NEW: Starting at 12:01 am ET on July 5, 2021: Exemptions for fully vaccinated travellers who meet specific conditions. Click here to see if you are eligible.
Our Constituency Office – Closed to in-person meetings
NEWEST TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR RETURNING TO CANADA
Please know that these rules are continuously changing and will continue changing as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 increases spread. There are announcements being made this week by the federal government on international travel regulations and restrictions, and then it is possible we will also have some provincial restrictions that may change again in coming days and which may affect your travels.
The Government of Canada has strongly advised against all forms of travel at this time. These regulations can change at any time if you do decide to travel, you should check the following websites regularly to ensure you are aware of any and all changes to Canada’s regulations and requirements.
Please know that the Government of Canada website has the most up-to-date information as the rules continue changing. You can find that information at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid Please check continuously before you travel to ensure that you have seen the latest updates.
Further, all travelers coming back into Canada absolutely must have input your information into the ArriveCAN App. The app, if you do not already have it, is available for download at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html.
You will also need to follow all steps as you input the information into the app for yourself, and any travelers, including children. You will need to upload vaccination records, have a 14-day mandatory quarantine plan regardless of vaccination status (in the case that you are required by the Public Health authorities upon your return to quarantine).
I am listing all of the separate pages for your information as you may need to consult several of them as these changes continue:
Proof of Vaccination for travel: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-covid-19-proof-vaccination/get-proof.html
Covid Restriction at Borders: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/exemptions
Travel Advice and Advisories: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Travel Outside of Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling
AIR TRAVEL – Both within Canada and Abroad: https://travel.gc.ca/air
Consulates and Embassies – Make Sure you Register: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
Please remember, if you are returning by air to Canada, you have to follow:
- the Government of Canada website for regulations
- check with your airline regarding testing and requirements.
Many Canadians are confused by the new requirements to have an additional PCR test done at the place of layover or stop before the Canadian border. The current rules state that you must have a PCR test done before boarding your flight. If you have a direct flight from your destination INTO Canada, you are able to cross through customs on that same test as long as it falls withing the 72-hour window allocated.
If you are not on a direct flight, and have a layover, you MUST complete a new PCR test at your layover destination (same 72-hour timeframe), and present that at the border. For example, if you are flying from Mexico, and landing in Detroit in order to drive back to Windsor, you have to get a PCR test in Mexico to board your flight. Then, once you have landed in Detroit, you need to get a second PCR test in order to cross the land border into Canada.
There are different restrictions for different countries at this time based on the Omicron variant and you can find the list of current restrictions at: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/omicron-variant#countries. You will see that travelers returning from these countries will have to stay at a quarantine hotel until released by public health officials.
Further, please make sure that you check your travel insurance policies and that they will cover you in the case of Covid. You should check with your airlines to follow-up on their cancellation and refund policies.
Lastly, please know that I have consistently called for the Government to implement a Safe Border Task Force in order to protect Canadians, assist with businesses, family reunification, special circumstances and have clear public communications for changing policy. You can see the work that I have done on this file at: https://www.brianmasse.ca/?s=border+task.
If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the following Government of Canada contacts with your questions:
Prime Minister’s Office at: pm@pm.gc.ca
Minister of Health and Public Health Agency of Canada (Covid testing at borders): hcminister.ministresc@canada.ca
Minister of Public Safety (border concerns): ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@canada.ca
Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk MP: Irek.Kusmierczyk@parl.gc.ca or by phone at 519-979-2707.
I appreciate you reaching out on this and please know that the best, and most up-to-date information will be on these respective websites. Please check them regularly as the Government continues updating the travel regulations. If you would like to see more of what our party is doing, please visit: www.ndp.ca. If you are interested in seeing the work that I am doing on behalf of Windsor West, please visit: www.brianmasse.ca . And if you have not already signed up for my electronic newsletter, the MASS-E-NEWS, please see my past issues and subscribe at: https://mailchi.mp/parl/mass-e-news-coronavirus-update-keeping-you-informed. Please stay safe and well.
Yours truly,
Brian Masse MP
Windsor West
We may be slower to respond than usual due to a high volume of calls and emails, but rest assured that we will reply as quickly as possible.
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