‘Land loophole’ being exploited by Canadian travellers to avoid quarantine hotels

Canadians have been flying into the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and taxiing their way back into the country.

Don McCasalin, a Buffalo limousine driver, told WIVB4 about the increase in traffic his business has experienced.

"It’s very high, multiple vehicles every day that goes sometimes just to the border often times over the border to Toronto and Hamburg and many places in Canada,” McCasalin said.

If Canadians flew directly home, they would have to remain in quarantine at a government sanctioned hotel for at least three days while waiting for their COVID-19 test results to come back. Returning by land, though, means they get to spend that quarantine at home.

CBC Television estimates that since February 21, 2021 when the Ontario return rules went into place, around 20,000 travelers have taken advantage of this land loophole.

Non-essential travel is reportedly still not allowed across the US-Canada bridge, but Canadians have the right to return home, thus allowing the loophole for them.