Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. I'd like to thank you for the invitation to appear today to provide an update on the additional measures that the Canada Border Services Agency has put into place since our last appearance here on February 3.
As you know, we are the first point of contact for all incoming international travellers. As such, we support an effective multi-layered system that keeps Canada and its people safe.
I would like to reiterate that under the Quarantine Act border services officers are designated as screening officers as part of their normal day-to-day duties. International travellers also play an important role by holding responsibility to inform our border services officers if they are feeling unwell.
Since the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the CBSA has added enhanced screening and detection processes to our robust border measures to keep our officers and Canadians safe. We continue to maintain an open line of communication with Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Global Affairs Canada in this whole-of-government effort.
As the CBSA briefed this committee on February 3, the following measures were put in place: targeted signage in CBSA arrival halls; additional health screening to identify individuals who may have been in Hubei province in the last 14 days; the referral of travellers to PHAC officials at ports of entry; the dissemination of information brochures advising travellers what to do should they become ill following their arrival in Canada; and also, ensuring that our officers are provided with and trained on how to use the personal protective equipment recommended by Health Canada.
Travellers who answer positively to the enhanced screening question were and still are subject to additional screening in order to help prevent the possible spread of the disease. Those experiencing flu-like symptoms are referred to a PHAC staff member, and all others are provided with information and permitted to continue their travels.
The CBSA also took steps with our colleagues at Transport Canada to remind airlines that under the Quarantine Act they are required to report as soon as possible whether ill passengers are on board. This allows adequate time to put the proper precautions in place before the aircraft arrives at its destination in Canada.
I'd now like to turn your attention to the additional precautions that we have put in place since February 3.
On February 8, as mentioned by our colleagues from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the CBSA issued a new information brochure, with more specific instructions for travellers who have been to the province of Hubei, China, to monitor themselves for symptoms, to self-isolate at home for 14 days and to contact local public health in their jurisdiction within 24 hours of their arrival. Also, they are to contact again if they develop any symptoms within those 14 days.
On February 9, the enhanced border measures that we outlined before were expanded to all Canadian international airports.
On February 14, the CBSA provided its officers with updated occupational health and safety advice from Health Canada on the processing of mail from China, which includes the wearing of nitrile gloves and handwashing each time gloves are changed or discarded. The agency is communicating regularly with our employees and with the Customs and Immigration Union on the occupational health and safety measures, and we are ensuring that the appropriate personal protective equipment is readily available to be used where required.
Also, as mentioned previously, as of February 17, all travellers who indicate that they have been in the province of Hubei are required to fill out a Public Health Agency of Canada contact form to allow health authorities to monitor and track those who have been in the impacted region. The form captures basic biographical data, flight data and contact information for the passenger while in Canada. Once it's completed, the Public Health Agency determines when and how to share this information with provincial authorities if required.
As of February 19, at the direction of the Public Health Agency of Canada, border services officers began issuing surgical mask kits to all travellers who report that they have been in the province of Hubei.
Throughout this period, the CBSA has been supporting federal partners in the repatriation of hundreds of Canadians from China impacted by this outbreak. On the ground in Wuhan, CBSA officers verified the identities and documents of passengers and ensured that a risk assessment of all passengers was completed prior to their departure, to ensure that no high-risk travellers from a security perspective were boarding the aircraft.
On their arrival, CBSA officers processed the travellers through our normal border clearance processes. During this process, all appropriate measures were taken to ensure the health and safety of our employees and Canadians.
To close, we continue to work in lockstep with our partners in ensuring that our responses at the border are in line with the current situation while protecting our workforce.
Thank you.