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Fake COVID-19 test results: Travellers slapped with $9,000 for showing false documents at Toronto airport

Transport Canada has confirmed that two air travellers have been fined for presenting fake COVID-19 pre-departure tests when arriving in Toronto.

One individual "altered" a COVID-19 test documentation and boarded a flight from the U.S. to Toronto on April 3, and was fined $2,500.

The second traveller was fined $6,500 after altering a COVID-19 test document and also making a false declaration to the air carrier about their health status when travelling from the Dominican Republic to Toronto on Feb. 8.

Air travellers are prohibited from knowingly providing false or misleading COVID-19 test documentation under the Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19.

Travellers to Canada must get a negative COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Canada.

"The Government of Canada continues to strongly advise Canadians that this is not the time to travel," information from the federal government reads. "Transport Canada will continue to investigate incidents reported to the department and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it is warranted."

Anyone who fails to comply with the Interim Order could be subject to fines of up to $5,000 per violation.

Previously issued fines under the Interim Order include:

  • Two individuals on a flight to Canada from Mexico on Jan. 23 were fined $10,000 and $7,000 respectively for presenting a false or misleading COVID-19 test and making a fake declaration about their health status

  • One travellers on a flight to Canada from Mexico on Jan. 18 was fined $1,000 for not providing an air carrier with evidence that they received a negative COVID-19 test result

  • One individual on a flight to Canada from Germany on Feb. 25 who was fined $2,500 for failing to respect a mandatory quarantine order and for falsely declaring their health status