COVID-19: Compassionate Entry for Travellers and Limited Release from Quarantine

Description of program

Every person entering Canada, with limited exceptions, must quarantine for 14 days, starting on the day of arrival. They may seek approval for a limited release from mandatory quarantine for compassionate reasons. Foreign nationals wishing to enter Canada for compassionate reasons must also seek approval for an exemption to prohibitions on entry before their trip. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, on the other hand, may enter Canada by right and don't need an exemption to the prohibition on entry.

Why was a Privacy Compliance Evaluation completed

In accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Interim Directive on Privacy Impact Assessment, a Privacy Compliance Evaluation was completed in place of a full Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA). As a new program and urgent COVID-19-related initiative, the COVID-19: Compassionate Entry for Travellers and Limited Release from Quarantine initiative meets the criteria for a Privacy Compliance Evaluation. A full PIA will be completed and submitted to TBS and to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, in accordance to the timeline described in the Directive.

More information

The Privacy Compliance Evaluation examined the personal information handling practices of the COVID-19: Compassionate Entry for Travellers and Limited Release from Quarantine initiative. The Privacy Compliance Evaluation identified compliance issues related to:

• Updating the relevant personal information bank (Quarantine Program PIB);
• Finalizing the disposal plan for personal information;
• The need for staff to complete privacy training; and
• Relocating the privacy notice to the top of its application form.

The Privacy Management Division and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have implemented measures to address the identified compliance issues.