Ontario, CA (April 18, 2021)

New travel restrictions have come to Ontario. Starting at 12:01 a.m. April 19, 2021 only essential travel will be allowed between provinces.

“The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wants to assure the public that essential travel between Ontario and neighbouring provinces will be permitted, despite new measures designed to help limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” said Bill Dickson, OPP Media Relations. “The OPP will have members located on roadways, at interprovincial points of entry, to screen incoming vehicles beginning Monday, April 19, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. ET.”

As checkpoints are approached, all vehicles will be required to slow down. While commercial vehicles (i.e., transport trucks and others) will be permitted to pass, passenger vehicles with Ontario plates must enter the checkpoints but will be allowed to continue on.

“Officers will be screening incoming passenger vehicles with out-of-province plates to determine the reason for entering Ontario,” said Dickson.

Those from outside the province will be allowed to enter if they fall under permitted reasons. These reasons include but are not limited to living and/or working in Ontario, Indigenous Treaty Rights, transportation of goods, health care matters, childcare or custody matters, and those travelling through Ontario to another location.

“As required by the provincial Emergency Measures and Civil Protection Act, those not travelling for essential reasons will be refused entry,” said Dickson. “Motorists approaching the interprovincial borders, in either direction, are asked to be prepared for slow moving traffic. The safety of the public and officers at the checkpoints is our top priority.

“The OPP will continue to provide public safety services to the communities we serve and support the efforts of federal, provincial and local health authorities. The OPP urges everyone to voluntarily comply with all restrictions which are in place to help limit the spread of Covid-19.”

The OPP ask that you contact your municipal by-law office, call the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122, or contact your local detachment for all non-emergency police matters.  This includes suspicion of non-compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions. For specific information on Ontario Regulation 293/21 (the vehicle border screening legislation), go to www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r21293.