The Supreme Court has upheld a travel ban imposed by public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The ban was challenged by Kimberly Taylor who was denied entry into the province in May to attend her mother’s funeral.
Justice Donald Burrage ruled that the travel ban is upheld by Section 1 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(VOCM file photo.)
Health Minister John Haggie spoke about the travel ban ruling outside the House of Assembly this afternoon.
While he cautioned he hadn’t had a chance to go through the judge’s decision himself, John Haggie did admit feeling somewhat vindicated by it.
He said on the surface it appears to confirm that the tough decisions the government has made in response to COVID-19 are justified and working, given the low prevalence of the virus in the province.
Asked how long the travel restrictions might remain in place, Haggie said they might not be lifted until a proven vaccine is discovered and made widely available. He said he doesn’t expect that to happen until next year at the earliest, but noted almost 20,000 travel exemptions have been granted to date.
For now, however, given the surge in cases in other parts of Canada, the minister said there’s no doubt that the travel ban has been effective, adding that the province’s geographic location—while sometimes bemoaned for its isolation—has most certainly been a blessing in disguise.
